Poovar Gram Panchayat of the district is trying an eco-friendly method to save its coastline from erosion. The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the panchayat is collaborating with the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) to plant screw pine. pandanus sulfurKnown locally as Kaitha) along the coast.
KSBB is providing financial assistance for green initiatives. M. Vincent, MLA, will inaugurate the pilot bio-fencing project on Tuesday at 10 am on the stretch of beach next to the Coastal Police Station, Poovar.
According to KSBB, the screwpin is a salt-resistant tree with brace roots and is considered ideal for coastal protection. The objective of the project is to demonstrate the methods of bio-fencing as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to concrete/granite sea walls, and thereby to ensure the safety of beaches in the state.
Expert Reviews
Kerala is one of the coastal states facing severe coastal erosion. Last year, an independent review by a team of scientists urged the state to urgently switch to scientifically sound and nature-based solutions to protect its coast. The study reported that granite sea walls proved to be counterproductive.