Santosh, a young fisherman from Kovalam, is worried over the loss of his livelihood caused by the level of pollution in the backwaters of Muttukadu and the formation of sandbars.
Even about 10 years ago, the situation was much better in terms of the catch in the backwater, he recalls.
With the East Coast Road and Old Mamallapuram Road witnessing the construction of numerous high-rises, the Buckingham Canal that flows between the two roads has naturally become the “dumping yard” of untreated waste water. “Even if the authorities carry out dredging at the mouth of the south Buckingham Canal where it drains into the sea, it will help revive the ecosystem and benefit fishermen in a radius of 15 km,” he says.
Acknowledging the need for regular dredging of the mouth of Buckingham Canal and similar other points along the coastline, D. Jayakumar, Fisheries Minister, says offshore fishing has been affected by the present situation. It has been proposed to deepen the mouths of watercourses. A study has been commissioned and an externalor multilateral agency will be approached for funding.
To improve off-shore fishing in the intervening period, a ₹10-crore project has been formulated to introduce artificial reefs in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Bids have been floated. There is a plan to extend The project could be extended to other parts of the State.
Considering the level of interest in water sports among young fishermen, the Minister says a plan is being worked out with the participation of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in Pulicat, Muthupettai and Pitchavaram.
