To create awareness among the public on global warming that threatens the very existence of islands in the Gulf of Mannar and to ensure increased cooperation between fishermen and Coastal Security Group personnel, Additional Director General of Police C. Sylendra Babu swam for about 7 km from Vaan Island to Mottaigopuram near Siluvaipatti near here on Tuesday.
After reaching Vaan Island by boat, Dr. Sylendra Babu, accompanied by seven more swimmers, started swimming from the island towards Mottaigopuram near Siluvaipatti. Though the swimmers had originally planned to reach the shore, about 7 km from the island, within an hour, the awareness exercise consumed more than 3 hours as the sea was very rough on Tuesday morning.
“Global warming, which is threatening and wiping out several species on land, is also a major threat to the islands. The Vaan Island, which was once huge in size, is gradually shrinking due to the rising sea level triggered by global warming. Hence, we should conserve the environment and check global warming,” said Dr. Sylendra Babu on reaching the shore along with his team.
He also informed that all 21 islands in Gulf of Mannar were being closely monitored. “I’d be much happier if this awareness exercise can ensure further close coordination between the fishermen and the marine police,” the ADGP said.
Inspector of Police, CSG, Tharuvaikulam, Mukesh Jayakumar was present.
