Pondicherry Beach Disaster Pondicherry Beach Disaster Man Man - - Made Tsunami Made Tsunami Man Man - - Induced Coastal Erosion at Pondicherry Induced Coastal Erosion at Pondicherry and neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu and neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu Pondy Citizens’ Action Network (PondyCAN) August 2008 www.pondycan.org
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ManMan--Induced Coastal Erosion at Pondicherry Induced Coastal Erosion at Pondicherry and neighboring beaches of Tamil Naduand neighboring beaches of Tamil Nadu
Pondy Citizens’
Action Network
(PondyCAN)
August 2008
www.pondycan.org
Once upon a time …Pondicherry had a beautiful beach (1986)
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Beach not at its widest. Size of beach varies seasonally. Waves breaking on sand bar is visible.
Nature’s gift to the citizens of Pondicherry (1986)
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
• Protects us from cyclones and tsunamis
• Prevents ground water from becoming saline
• Supports the livelihood of fishermen
• Provides a natural recreational space
• A unique and indispensible habitat for wildlife (sea turtles)
• Part of our heritage - used during festivals (Masimagam, Vinayaga Chaturthi)
THE BEACH… an essential part of the ecosystem
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Then a harbour was built (1986-1989)……and neglected
Harbour entrance Pondy town 2 kms
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Pondy was never the same …a precious gift was lost (2000)
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
How did we lose our beach?
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Understanding The Coastal Environment
of the Pondicherry –
Tamil Nadu
(Coromandel) Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
The Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu coastlines are composed of sandy beaches, dunes and estuaries:
Rivers bring sand to the sea and feed the beaches.
Sand deposited along coast forms Estuaries, dunes, beaches.
The Cauvery Delta brings large amounts of sediment.
DunesBeachesEstuaries
Images: source Google Earth
Pondicherry
Pondicherry(Karaikal)
Tamil Nadu
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Typical Profile of a sandy beach
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
South Pondy beaches – 1986-87 (Harbour construction
just started)
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Vegetated dunes
Wide sandy beaches
Estuaries
PONDICHERRY TOWN’S COASTLINE – BEFORE - 1989
Sand bar
Beach
Dune – Beach Road is over an old dunePondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Beach not at its widest. Size of beach varies seasonally. Waves breaking on sand bar is visible.
Coastal Processes along
Pondicherry –
Tamil Nadu Coastline
The most dominant process is: The Long Shore Drift (LSD):
the Natural Transportation of Sand
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Mechanisms of sand transportation
Cross-shore movement
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Mechanisms of sand transportation
Long-shore movement
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Mechanisms of sand transportation along Pondicherry Coastline
During NE monsoon
During SW monsoon
Swell orientation
Swell orientation
=
Direction of sand
movement
Image: source Google EarthPondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Images: source Google Earth
swellswell
Mechanisms of sand transportation along Pondicherry Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
During SW Monsoon (9 months):
6,00,000 cu.m
sand move North
During NE monsoon (3 months):
1,00,000 cu.m
sand move South
Mechanisms of sand transportation along Pondicherry Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Net long-shore drift =
6,00,000 cu.m
(North -
SW)
-
1,00,000 cu.m
(South -
NE)
= 5,00,000 cu.m
move North
each year
Mechanisms of sand transportation along Pondicherry Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
500,000 Cu.m per
year!
Sand movement is a significant natural process and a factor which plays a major role.
Net Littoral Drift
Images: source Google Earth
Mechanisms of sand transportation along Pondicherry Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Interfering with the Littoral Drift
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Source: unknown
Pondy Town
Tamil Nadu
Satellite image of Pondicherry coastline (Year 2000)
Pondy Harbour
Ariyankuppam Estuary
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Erosion visible north of harbour – Pondy town bulges into the sea. Accretion visible south of harbour – wide beach.
Eroding coastline
Accreting coastline
Profile of the Pondicherry coastline (year 2000)
PondyHarbour
Source: unknownPondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Erosion visible north of harbour – Pondy town bulges into the sea. Accretion visible south of harbour – wide beach.
Pondicherry Harbour (built in 1986-1989)
Pondy Harbour mouth
Pondy town 1.5 kms
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Breakwaters obstruct littoral drift
Sand depletion
Sand accumulation
Original shoreline
BreakwatersLittoral drift
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Existing sand by-pass system at Pondy harbour
Original
shoreline
Submarine tunnel
Dredger
Sand nourishment
Proposed by: Central Water & Power Reasearch Station (CWPRS), Pune, 1978.
Designed by: Consulting Engineering Services (CES), New Delhi, 1981.
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Dredging
&
Sand Nourishment
Sand by-pass system at Pondy Harbour
FAILED BECAUSE IMPROPERLY AND
SELDOM USED.
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The current engineering thinking the world over is for soft rather than hard engineering solutions – they try to replicate natural processes rather than fight them. In the case of Pondicherry the most sustainable long term solution that comprises sand nourishment by dredging . But this comes at a cost – Rs. 50-100/cubic metre of sand dredged or Rs. 2.5 – 5.0 crores per annum, for as long as the Port exists. Without capital derdging. The rabour was meant to provide shelter to about 300 mechanized fishing vessels, but ended up taking away the livelyhood of traditional fisherfolk who use catamarans from the beach, it endangered the town of POndicherry which now lies exposed to cyclones and the town being at or even slightly below sea-level Since the Port appears to be economically unviable with a constant recurring financial, social and environmental cost, it has essentially achieved next to nothing.
Consequences of disrupting
the Littoral Drift along Pondicherry –
Tamil Nadu
Coastline
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Before (1986)
After (2002)
Pondy New Pier beach
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Beach not at its widest. Size of beach varies seasonally. Waves breaking on sand bar is visible.
Before (1986)
After (2000)
Pondy town beach
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Beach not at its widest. Size of beach varies seasonally. Waves breaking on sand bar is visible.
Before (2001)
After (2002)
Kottakuppam (TN) beach
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Beach not at its widest. Size of beach varies seasonally. Waves breaking on sand bar is visible.
Affected villages in Pondicherry & Tamil Nadu (2002)
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
1st August ‘02 … a week later
A house and trees… …turned into rubble and lost.
Parking space for traditional fishing crafts….is lost.
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Widespread destruction
Homes…. livelihoods … and nature
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Since the construction of the Harbour in 1989:- 8 kms of shoreline completely eroded- More than 30 km affected
Satellite image of Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu coastline (2006)
8 kms
PondyTamil Nadu
PondyHarbour
Blocked sand
Seawall
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Further disruption of the Littoral Driftcaused by
“hard” coastal protection measures:
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
1989 – 2007: Instead of nourishing the beaches, rocks were dumped along the coast.
Pondy
Tamil Nadu
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Cost of harbour about 20 crores. Cost of dumping rocks for shore protection – about 20 crores upto date. This cost will keep going up as it is a recurring cost – rocks sink into the soft sand. Length of seawall at present: 8 km. It is extending northwards every couple of years.
Seawall ends in Pondy… the problem shifts to Tamil Nadu
Sea WallPondy
Tamil Nadu
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
3 short groynes
POND
Y
TAMIL NADU
Seawalls & later groynes built in Tamil Nadu. 2002 – 2006.
Seawall
SoudanikuppamNadukuppamThandirayan
kuppam
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Groyne construction work at Tandhirayankuppam, TN 4th May 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Groyne built North of Thandiyankuppam Village in Tamil Nadu May 2007
≈
120 m
Erosion
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Erosion at Quiet Beach, Thandhirayankuppam, TNas a result of groyne construction
April 2007 9th May 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Erosion at Quiet Beach, Thandhirayankuppam, TN
April 2007 6th June 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Erosion at Quiet Beach, Thandhirayankuppam, TN
April 2007 28th June 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Erosion at Quiet Beach, Thandhirayankuppam, TN
April 2007 18th July 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Erosion at Quiet Beach, Thandhirayankuppam, TN
April 2007
9th May 2007
6th June 200728th June 2007
Erosion in 3 month’s time
18th July 2007
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Dumping rocks and similar hard measures are not a solution
• Increases and transfers erosion down the coast
• Work has to continue forever as rocks keep sinking
• Requires huge sums of public money
• Does not protect us from big waves
• Mountains have to be destroyed
• Natural habitats for wildlife are destroyed
• The coastline is transformed and degraded
Is this sustainable?Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
March 2002
Coastal erosion is advancing northwards at more than 350 m/year (1 m/day)
• Land area: 150 acres.• Cargo handling capacity: 1.5 MTA.• Actual capacity: 0.05 MTA (average).• Breakwaters: 250 m long.• Depth: Max. 4 m.
• Land area: 400 acres (min.)• Cargo handling capacity: 20 MTA.• Breakwaters: 750 m long.• Depth: Max. 14 m.
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Coastal erosion caused by disruption of littoral driftPotential situation in Pondy:
Potential erosion
Situation in Chennai:
Original shoreline
Original shoreline
Existing erosion
Chennai Harbour
Proposed Pondy
Harbour(similar to Chennai harbour)Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Proposed Port developments likely to disrupt of littoral drift
Cheyur Port
Cuddalore Port
Karaikal Port
Nagapattinam Port
Pondicherry Port
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
IMPACTS OF COASTAL EROSION
• Destruction and loss of property
• Destruction and loss of natural habitats and wildlife
• Increased water salinity and scarcity
• Loss of livelihoods for fishermen
• Degradation of fertile agricultural land
• Exposes the coastline to cyclones
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The current engineering thinking the world over is for soft rather than hard engineering solutions – they try to replicate natural processes rather than fight them. In the case of Pondicherry the most sustainable long term solution that comprises sand nourishment by dredging . But this comes at a cost – Rs. 50-100/cubic metre of sand dredged or Rs. 2.5 – 5.0 crores per annum, for as long as the Port exists. Without capital derdging. The rabour was meant to provide shelter to about 300 mechanized fishing vessels, but ended up taking away the livelyhood of traditional fisherfolk who use catamarans from the beach, it endangered the town of POndicherry which now lies exposed to cyclones and the town being at or even slightly below sea-level Since the Port appears to be economically unviable with a constant recurring financial, social and environmental cost, it has essentially achieved next to nothing.
Do we need coastal developments that will:
• Increase coastal vulnerability
• Create water scarcity
• Damage the environment
• Endanger wildlife
..And ruin the quality of life of present and future generations
Pondy Citizens’ Action Network – August 2008
Concluding remarks:
• The disruption of the littoral drift is likely to be oneof the greatest challenges for coastal protectionand restoration.
• Unless we demonstrate that the littoral drift can be restored once disrupted, future coastal developmentswill result in greater damage to the coast.
• The restoration of the affected Pondicherry and TamilNadu coastline could present an opportunity for establishing coastal restoration practices for otherparts of this coast.