The New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has been dumping thousands truckloads of debris on the beach to the south and north of its breakwaters, outside the port’s waterfront, apparently to “level the seashore” for the public. Port authorities, however, have failed to inform the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) that administers the Coastal Regulatory Zone norms. The debris is about 100 metres wide and 1 km in length. There’s a similar dump between the famous Panambur beach and the port’s north breakwater.
CZMA Regional Director Dinesh told The Hindu that the port had dumped part of dredged soil, which was earlier inside its compound, on the seashore. He has asked port authorities to level the dumped soil and plant local species of tree saplings to stabilise the area.
On the other hand, port chairman P.C. Parida told
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Asked whether NMPT has obtained CZMA’s permission for dumping soil, Mr. Parida said he would “examine the matter”. Mr. Parida, however, was not clear as to whether the port would now allow tourists to the site. The area between the south breakwater and NMPT guest house has always been closed to the public. In fact, trenches have been dug to prevent vehicles from venturing near the beach. A felled tree has been placed across the road leading to the south breakwater to prevent people crossing over. Some sources said the land has been outsourced to private parties to build warehouses for the port, but Mr. Parida denied it, saying, “no construction is proposed on the sites”.