Pressnote23aug

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Executive Summary Press note (August 23, 2007) Rama Setu Protection Forum If Rama Setu is damaged… Livelihood of coastal people in Bharatam and Srilanka will be devastated. Geo-thermally, geo-tectonically fragile eco-environment and 3,600 aquatic species will be desiccated. What the scientists say: [quote] ·Tectonic movements along the active fault zones bringing about subsidence and submergence of areas.

·Such subsidence will bring in inundations and flooding as well as collapse of structures ·In some cases such subsidence may cause submarine landslides which in turn will lead to changes in

ocean currents and mini-tsunamis besides blocking ocean passages. ·Triggering of the movements of already active faults both vertically and in a strike-slip fashion may

induce earthquakes and earth tremors, which in turn may cause damages to structures, causing submarine land slides and other concomitant disruptions.

·Inducing movements along this fragile zone of high heat flow will bring in excessive heat to the surface, thus changing current movements, the lives of biota as well as higher corrosive and erosive effects of the hot waters into the walls of the canal and bringing out land-slides and blocking the passage of sea, etc. [unquote]

An international waters boundary will be in place preventing the coastal people from using the aquatic resources of the historic waters. When tsunami or cyclone strike, Rama Setu acted as a protective barrier. If Rama Setu is desiccated, the coastline of southern bharatam including Kerala coast will be destroyed, destroying property, ports, and also thorium/titanium wealth in monazite and ilmenite sands. If thorium placer deposits are lost, energy independence for the nation will be lost. The Gulf of Mannar/Palk bay waters will be internationalized with US and other naval ships having right of passage and Bharatam reduced to a coast guard for shipping lanes of petroleum products going from the Persian Gulf to west coast of America. Rama Setu is the most ancient monument symbolizing Bharatiya culture. This world heritage should be protected. Swarajyam Bharatam should not behave like Taliban destroying this heritage which should like Tirupati be declared as a divyakshetram. Rama Setu rakshaa is our deekshaa. Protecting Rama Setu is our resolve. Next phase of nationwide satsang and tirthayatras Lakhs would converge at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on August 26 under the ‘Chalo Rameswaram’ programme to offer mass poojas at setutirtham (sacred waters) On August 28 a ‘Ramasetu Raksha Bandhan’ would be observed. Weeklong Krishnashtami celebrations from September 4 will be village-level campaigns to protect Rama setu. From September 27 to October 10 Dharmacharyas, sadhus and sants and their disciples will participate in the movement. Hanuman Chalisa recitations from October 12 to 24, mass demonstration on October 25 and Shila Yatras from November 20 to December 20 will be held. The petition which was signed by 35 lakh people and submitted to the former President will be supplemented by a demand for declaration of Rama Setu as Divyakshetram and ‘underwater world heritage site’.

We hope Govt. of India and Govt. of Tamilnadu will respect the sentiments of millions of people and not behave like the Taliban demolishing the Buddha of Bamiyan calling it a mere stone. Rama Setu is not mere sand, it is a divyakshetram, revered for generations. It is world heritage which should be protected. The Madras High Court noted in their judgement of 19 June 2007 that under the Ancient Monuments Act of 1958, the Rama Setu should be deemed to be a monument of national importance. We hope that governments will respect this sage advice of the judiciary and declare Rama Setu as divyakshetram which is the government’s responsibility to protect and cherish for present and future generations remembering the adarsha purusha, Sri Rama, who is called Vigrahavan dharmah by Valmiki, that is the very embodiment of the values embodied in dharma which is the guiding principle of the nation.

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Detailed note

Information received in good faith is that naval hqs was requested by Setusamudram

channel project authorities to provide naval divers and that blasting will be undertaken in the project area.

The environmental impact of project activity in a geo-thermally, geo-tectonically active zone has NOT been analysed in consultation with Geological Survey of India.

The heatflow map of GSI shows that the zone is as hot as the Himalayan zone with a number of thermal wells along the southern coast and has mannar volcanics.

Whether these heat zones will be activated should be subjected to detailed studies.

The map is attached.

A categorical undertaking was given by the former Chairman of Sethusamudram

Project that BLASTING will NOT be used. Here is the report of the press conference

held with Min. for Science and Technology, Sibal.

NEERI report categorically states that no blasting should be done.

Issues related to blasting in the Setu channel project

Madras HC order of 19 June 2007:

"We are not inclined to grant any interim relief at this stage, as it would hamper the further work in the project. However, we leave it to the Union of India to decide

whether the actual cutting of Adam's Bridge/Rama Sethu could be postponed till the

issues involved in these petitions are considered by this Court." Now, the case has been transferred to the Supreme Court and hearing is scheduled on August 31,

2007.

A categorical undertaking was given by the former Chairman of Sethusamudram

Project that BLASTING will NOT be used. Here is the report of the press conference

held with Min. for Science and Technology, Sibal.

Sethu samples for independent tests

New Delhi, Jun 2: Centre today made an open offer to provide rock and soil samples from the Adam's Bridge region of the controversial Sethusamdram project for

carrying out scientific tests.

"There is an open offer. We will provide samples collected from the area to persons

wanting to carry out tests independently," Minister of Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal told reporters.

Sibal said the present alignment of the Sethusamudram project has been arrived at

after detailed scientific and environmental tests.

"The present alignment is the best we can have," he said.


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Sibal said utmost care has been taken to in the planning and execution of the project

to ensure the least impact on the coasts of India and Sri Lanka.

"The Sethusamudram Ship Channel is located at a distance of more than 20 Km from Shingle Island of Gulf of Mannar near Dhanuskodi," N K Raghupathy, Chairman and

Managing Director of Sethusamudram Corporation Limited said making a

presentation on the project here.

The total length of the channel is 167 km, 12m deep and 300 meters wide at the

bottom.

Raghupathy, who also heads the Tuticorin Port Trust, said the project managers will

not use blasting technology for dredging activity along the entire length of the project.

He said there will be a restriction on the size of ships passing through the channel.

(Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B538DFCAA-

C6BB-4C4E-B52B-4D7274791201%7D&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA

Sethusamudram project is based on scientific studies: Sibal

From our ANI Correspondent

New Delhi, June 2: Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said here

today that the Sethusamundram Ship Canal Project (SSCP) across Palk Bay got its

final nod only after careful scientific studies.

The project was cleared only after taking into consideration the facts received from

the bio-diversity and the fragile eco-system of the area falling between Palk Bay and the Palk Strait, Sibal told reporters here.

He added that the Indo-Lankan Maritime interests between Point Calliner and Jaffna were taken into account before giving the final nod for the project.

The Centre has no intention of hurting the sentiments of any community, Sibal said.

On May 16, the Lok Sabha was adjourned after Bharatiya Janata Party MPs raised a furore over the construction of the project.

BJP MPs and the Vishva Hindu Parishad are demanding that project must be scrapped, as it would destroy the mythological bridge built by Lord Rama of

Ayodhya.

The Sethusamundram proposes the linking of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar

between India and Sri Lanka by creating a shipping canal through the shallow sea. This would provide a continuous navigable sea route around the Indian Peninsula.

The project involves digging a 44.9 nautical mile (83 km) long deepwater channel linking the shallow water of the Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar. Conceived as

early as 1860 by Alfred Dundas Taylor, it recently received approval of the


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Government of India.

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/146256.php/Sethusamudram-project-is-based-on-

scientific-studies:-Sibal

Protection of cultural heritage as human right

The Declaration UNESCO Universal declaration on cultural diversity (2001),

emphasizes cultural rights and the role of culture in development, reaffirmed in

Article 5 "Cultural rights as an enabling environment for cultural diversity":

"Cultural rights are an integral part of human rights, which are universal, indivisible

and inter-dependent. The flourishing of creative diversity requires the full implementation of cultural rights as defined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights and in Articles 13 and 15 of the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. All persons have therefore the right to express themselves and to create and disseminate their work in the language of their choice,

and particularly in their mother tongue; all persons are entitled to quality education

and training that fully respect their cultural identity; and all persons have the right to participate in the cultural life of their choice and conduct their own cultural practices,

subject to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms." http://tinyurl.com/2f937m

Rama’s hotspot

Information received in good faith is that naval hqs was requested by authorities to provide naval divers and that blasting will be undertaken in the project area.

The environmental impact of project activity in a geo-thermally, geo-tectonically active zone has NOT been analysed in consultation with Geological Survey of India.

The heatflow map of GSI shows that the zone is as hot as the Himalayan zone with a number of thermal wells along the southern coast and has mannar volcanics.

Whether these heat zones will be activated should be subjected to detailed studies.

The map is attached.

The following monograph by three scientists explains the serious consequences of

any activity in Rama Setu area which is likely to adversely impact the fragile geo-

environment with trigger the faults and thermal pockets, resulting in incalculable damages to the coastline and marine life.

[quote]

LTectonic movements along the active fault zones bringing about subsidence and submergence of areas.

LSuch subsidence will bring in inundations and flooding as well as collapse of

structures LIn some cases such subsidence may cause submarine landslides which in turn

will lead to changes in ocean currents and mini-tsunamis besides blocking

ocean passages.


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LTriggering of the movements of already active faults both vertically and in a

strike-slip fashion may induce earthquakes and earth tremors, which in turn may cause damages to structures, causing submarine land slides and

other concomitant disruptions.

LInducing movements along this fragile zone of high heat flow will bring in excessive heat to the surface, thus changing current movements, the lives

of biota as well as higher corrosive and erosive effects of the hot waters into the walls of the canal and bringing out land-slides and blocking the

passage of sea, etc.

[unquote]

The scientists call it: Rama's hotspot.

http://tinyurl.com/25c7xc Rama Setu: Geological and geo-tectonic perspectives

Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) is gaining importance recently amongst the public, the media and the scientists because of multifarious factors.

In the feasibility studies for any major engineering project, it is very essential to look

into the geo-technical aspects, besides the engineering and financial ones. The geo-

technical evaluation will normally cover the geological , structural, and geo-tectonic features including seismo- tectonic signatures as well as the geo-physical inputs from

the various branches . The synthesis and analysis of these geo-scientific data are

pre-requisites for making proper geo-technical advice in a suitable manner for the execution of the projects. Actually, Geo-technical Evaluation Report is a pre-requisite

for clearing any major engineering project. Such an exercise might have been done

for this project also. Normally, Geological Survey of India (GSI), the premier geo-scientific organization in the country, is entrusted with this task of preparation of the

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT. GSI has the requisite expertise, man power, equipments,

ocean going research vessels, air craft for aerial surveys for research etc, to carry out comprehensive studies on geology, geophysics, drilling, laboratory analyses,

geo-tectonics including seismo-tectonics as well as geo-technical, geo-thermal and geo-environmental aspects. Actually these studies are the CHARTED FUNCTIOS OF

GSI WHICH ARE GAZETTED. However available GSI sources indicate that GSI was

not involved in the geo-technical evaluation of SSCP.

An attempt is made in the paper on this webpage, by a group of geo -scientists

retired from GSI to evaluate the regional Geological and Geo-tectonic Settings of the Palk- Bay (PB) – Gulf of Mannar (GM) area between India and Sri Lanka and its

relevance to SSCP. The present analysis is made with limited geo-scientific data

available with these retired personnel. There may still be a wealth of data available with various geo-scientific organizations which may have to be taken into account for

a better understanding of the points raised in this paper as well as to refine the suggestions accordingly.

Exec. Summary: Geological setting in Palk Bay – Gulf of Mannar and relevance to Sethu Samudram Canal project

http://tinyurl.com/3683b7 (Also available for download from

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/geologypalkbaymainpoints/ )

Geological and geo- tectonic settings of Palk Bay – Gulf of Mannar area between

India and Sri Lanka – their relevance to Sethu Samudram Canal Project by K.


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Gopalakrishnan, S. Badrinarayanan and KS Subramanian, Directors (Retd.),

Geological Survey of India, 6 August 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2ollr7 (Also available for download from

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/geologicalsettingpalkbay/ )

The following 6 sets of pdf documents contain 28 figures referred to in the

monograph.

http://tinyurl.com/2wk8og

http://tinyurl.com/3y5apq http://tinyurl.com/32g33b

http://tinyurl.com/2qw8cm

http://tinyurl.com/32ry5w http://tinyurl.com/3dsp5s

Also available for download from: http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset1/

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset2/ http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset3/

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset4/

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset5/ http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/figuresset6/

Rama Setu as divyakshetram (sacred pilgrimage)

Rama Setu is a sacred pilgrimage place for millions of Hindu worldwide. Setubandha

Rameshwaram is referred to as dakshina kashi (southern Benares) and is a revered place remembering the divine Shri Rama, where millions of people take a sacred dip

in the Indian ocean just as pilgrims take a dip in the sacred Ganga.

Sentiments of millions of Hindu

There are pilgrimage sites also on Srilanka side of Talaimannar end of the bridge called Mahatittha (great sacred bathing place) and temple of Shiva called

Tiruketheeshwaram (just as there is a Shiva temple in a temple called

Rameshwaram). The sacred texts of the Hindu mention that three shiva temples were installed by Shri Rama who is venerated as a divinity and who is referred to as

the embodiment of Dharma. Any attempt to desiccate a physical structure built

under the orders of Shri Rama should not be desiccated because it hurts the sentiments of millions of Hindu who offer pitru tarpanam at this teertha (homage to

ancestors to seek their blessings).

Evidences for ancient Geological feature and ancient physical structure

called Setu

Unlike the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, this geological feature linking India and Srilanka and physical structure on top of it, just on the sea level called Setu, have

always been referred to as a bridge.

Scientific evidences for geological feature of Rama Setu


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A report by two geologists, Vestal and Lowrie notes: Two suites of slumps from

opposite margins of the Gulf of Mannar, between Sri Lanka and southern India, have met and coalesced. The “Eastern Comorin” Slump is the more coherent of the two

with a length of 70 to 100 km. The “Colombo” side slump consists of two to four

blocks 15 to 35 km in length. Both slump-suites decrease to the south. A paleoslump underlies the western toe of the East Comorin Slump at a depth of some 800 meters.

To the south, an enlarging and deepening submarine canyon marks the area of slump coalescence. See William Vestal and Allen Lowrie, Geology and Geophysics

Branch-Code 7220, U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office NSTL Station, 39522, MS

• http://www.springerlink.com /content/m602j3k746342lnl/

India is also a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1958) which

enjoins on the Government the responsibility to prevent migrations of aquatic species from one habitat to another or adversely affecting the aquatic habitat. By

creating a mid-ocean channel passage without provision of locks on either side of the

channel, the serene habitat of the Gulf of Mannar is likely to be adversely disturbed by the turbulent waters of the Bay of Bengal which is prone to recurrent cyclones

and tectonic (earthquake) events. Rama Setu region is also Zone 2 on the Heat Flow

map of India prepared by Geological Survey of India, as intense in geothermal energy as the sub-himalayan ranges. There are evidences of Mannar volcanics in the

region and thermal wells along the southern coastline close to Rama Setu. Any dredging activity in such a fragile ecological zone with the only South Asian Marine

Bioreserve and 24 marine national parks may activate the faultlines and such heat

zones exposing the coastline to devastation. This aspect was not studied before embarking on the channel project, nor were the impacts of cyclones and tsunami

(which occurred on Dec. 26, 2004 which killed over 200,000 people) evaluated

before embarking on the channel project. Geological Survey of India which is mandated to undertake such multi-disciplinary geo-tectonic, oceanographic studies,

was NOT consulted by the project authorities.

Scientific, archaeological evidences for physical structure of the land-bridge

linking India and Srilanka

The Survey of India Logo since 1767 proclaims: aasetu himachalam (meaning: from

Setu to Himalaya, representing the nation’s boundary). A 1747 Netherlands map

clearly showed ‘Ramarcoil’ (Rama’s temple) and a 1788 map of Survey of India showed ‘Ramarpalam’ (later named Adam’s bridge).

An epigraph of Krishnadevaraya of 15th century refers to Rama Setu. Al-Biruni refers

to Setu in 11th century.

A book by Alexander Hamilton, 1744, A New Account of the East Indies: Giving an

Exact and Copious Description of the Situation, P. 338 describes his visit to ‘zeloan’ (alt. spelling for Ceylon) by walking on the bridge.

1893 Madras Presidency Manual: Glossary entry: Adam. …”Called the bridge of

Rama… It really joined Ceylon to India until 1480, when a breach was made through

rocks during a storm. A subsequent storm enlarged this and foot traffic then ceased…Partly above and partly below water; but when covered has now here above

three or four feet of water…”


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Asiatic Society, 1799, Asiatick Researches: Or, Transactions of the Society Instituted

in Bengal, P. 52 refers to the bridge called Setband (alt. spelling, setuband like Allahband; setu-bandha), broken in 3 places. It also notes “The people call it a

bridge; or otherwise it appears to have wood growing on it, and to be inhabited.”

So does the Ramanathapuram District Gazetteer of 1972 with preface by M.

Karunanidhi then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu refer extensively to Rama Setu.

The coastline with 24 marine national parks is the habitat of s’ankha which is an

8500 year-old continuing industry.

Department of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, in a report of March 2007 given to the

President of India noted:

Since the calcareous sand stones and Corals are less dense than normal hard rock and quite compact, probably these were used by the ancients to form a connecting

link to Sri Lanka, on the higher elevations of the Adams bridge ridge and this is

analogous to modern day causeway.

• Around Rameswaram, there are raised Teri formations that supported a rich assemblage of mesolithic – microlithic tools indicating the presence of strong

human habitation and activity in these areas as early as 8000 to 9000 years

B.P and as recent as 4000 years B.P. On Sri Lanka side there are indications of human habitation extending to late Pleistocene (about 13,000 B.P) based

on bone and fossils of human and animal form. • All these point to a flourishing human activity on both sides of Adams Bridge

and probably when the sea levels were just right the link between India and

Sri Lanka could have been established.

Called Rama Setu from ancient times in ancient texts of Sangam literature like Akanaanooru, Puranaanooru, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and Setubandha

kavya in Prakrit by King Damodarasena of 5th century, copper plate inscription of

Parantaka Chola of 10th century and later renamed as Adam’s Bridge by the British surveyor general, James Rennel in 1804 in a Map of Hindoostan and Mughal Empire.

Scores of maps produced by Prof. Schwarzberg of University of Chicago in South Asia

Historical Atlas clearly show the Rama Setu as Setuka, Setubandha, Setubandha Rameshwaram. Thousands of ancient coins of the 10th century have also been

discovered in Srilanka with the words ‘Setu’ and ‘Setupati’ inscribed. Setu means a bund (an English word that is derived from the word bandha used in many Indian

languages). Setupati is the title given to rulers of the Rameshwaram region whose

responsibility was to protect the land-bridge and the sacred tirtham (pilgrimage).

That Rama Setu was used as a land-bridge upto 1799 are clearly evidenced in travelogues, Madras Presidency gazetteer of 1893 and in temple epigraphs. Cyclones

and tsunami-s are frequent occurrences in the region because of active earth faults

(called plate tectonics). Due to such cyclones in 1948 and 1964, Dhanushkodi which is the starting edge of the bridge on Indian side was submerged in about 10 feet of

water because of incursion of the sea and rise of the sea level.

Mid-ocean channel or land-based canal? Geopolitical implications


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A land-based canal will be close to Indian coastal boundary and fully under

the control of India. This will prevent the internationalization of the waterway for small ships.

Alternative routes have been recommended by five Government committees which

will create land-based canals like the Suez or Panama canals. For extraneous

reasons, possibly under pressure from USA which does not recognize the agreement between India and Srilanka declaring these waters as ‘historic waters’ (that is with

historic rights of the people of the two nations to freely use the natural resources of the waters). There was an agreement between Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi

and President of Srilanka Sirimavo Bandaranaike in June 1974, reiterating this

‘historic waters’ declaration recognized under the UN Law of the Sea (1958). To assert the geopolitical claim of USA, naval ships were dispatched by USA into these

waters repeatedly in 1994, 1999, 2000 claiming that these are ‘international waters’.

Choice of a mid-ocean channel passage as an alignment seems to have been dicatated by this assertion of USA creating an international waters boundary in the

waters where such a boundary never existed. Creation of such a boundary impacts

on the lives of the coastal people of both India and Srilanka. 34 Srilankan experts have also expressed their concerns on impact on water resources in Jaffna if the

channel project is implemented. Coastal people of India have also expressed their apprehensions since they will be prevented from accessing the aquatic resources on

the Srilankan side of this boundary.

Security of the national boundary in historic waters

The choice of a mid-ocean channel passage was specifically recommended to be

abandoned by the first committee set up, after independence, in 1956 to review the feasibility of the project and setting up of a port at Tuticorin. This committee led by

Sir A Ramaswamy Mudaliar categorically stated that in such a mid-ocean channel

passage cutting through Rama Setu (Adam’s bridge)—

*it will be virtually impossible to control the continuing incursion of sandbanks, eroding the channel

*it will be impossible to provide for protective structures (such as lining of both

embankments and provision of locks) in the mid-ocean

*an international boundary will be created if the channel is close to the medial line between India and Srilanka internationalizing these waters.

These cautionary notes were respected all four subsequent canal alignments

considered since 1956. In 2004, a surprise mid-ocean channel passage was

delineated ignoring these recommendations.

Imperative of protective measures against future cyclones/tsunamis

Tsunami experts like Dr. Tad Murty have opined that the channel alignment directly pointed towards the path of tsunami in the Bay of Bengal, will create a funnel effect

(quarterwave resonance amplification) absorbing the energy of the next tsunami or

cyclones destroying the southern coastline and coastline of Kerala. This opinion is


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based on the experience of the Alaska tsunami of 1964 which devastated the Alberni

port in Alberni canal in Canada where the waves attained their highest amplitude.

Any devastation in the coastline of south India will have serious implications for the thorium and titanium reserves found in abundance in the region. If these reserves

which are accumulating as placer deposits because of unique patterns of ocean

currents and the presence of an effective tsunami barrier like Rama Setu are lost into the mid-ocean, the reserves cannot be exploited in a cost-effective manner to meet

the strategic needs of India’s atomic energy and space industries. Both thorium and titanium are strategic minerals of the nation. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President

of India, a space scientists, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre scientists, atomic

scientists like Dr. Baldev Raj have noted that thorium is the mainstay of the nation’s atomic energy program to provide for energy independence. The 3,60,000 tonnes

reserve of thorium will meet the energy requirements of the nation for the next four

centures. The implications of cutting a mid-ocean channel passage through a protective structure which is likely to have such devastating impact on the nation’s

wealth should be carefully evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team of experts.

Imperative of safeguarding and conserving strategic mineral sands

(monazite, ilmenite, rutile)

There is a remarkable accumulation of marine sands of monazite, ilmenite

and rutile as placer deposits along principally the southern coastline of

India at Manavalakurichi (Tamilnadu), Aluva, Chavara (Kerala) and Chatrapur (Orissa).

Importance of Thorium for Bharat

• From BARC website: Thorium deposits of Bharatam- ~ 3,60,000 tonnes

• The currently known Indian thorium reserves amount to 358,000 GWe-yr of

electrical energy and can easily meet the energy requirements during the next century and beyond. (Thorium reserves can generate 400,000 MW

electricity per year for the next 389 years). At present, we produce only 100,000 MW electricity per year.

• India 's vast thorium deposits permit design and operation of U-233 fuelled breeder reactors.

• These U-233/Th-232 based breeder reactors are under development and would serve as the mainstay of the final thorium utilization stage of the Indian

nuclear programme.

http://www.barc.ernet.in/webpages/about/anu1.htm

Uneconomical channel

By realigning the channel as a land-based canal, about 30 nautical miles can

be reduced for navigation and also saving in project costs of about Rs. 500 crores.

The economic viability of the project has also been questioned by economists and

infrastructure experts. According to Capt. Balakrishnan who commanded the frigate


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INS Trishul said that the saving in time for small ships which alone can go through

the proposed channel passage between Kolkata and Tuticorin will be only 1 hour and 45 minutes. Such a small saving in time will not justify payment of pilotage charges

for the vessels to be piloted at 6 knots per hour through the 154 kms. long channel.

Ships larger than 30,000 Dead Weight Tonnes (DWT) will continue to go around Srilanka. In Suez canal which is a land-based canal, arrangements have been made

to salvage ships in case they get grounded because of turbulent waves which toss the ships. Bollards are placed every 20 feet and wire ropes will be used to salvage a

grounded ship. Such an arrangement will be impossible in a mid-ocean channel

which will render salvage operations a very costly enterprise endangering the very viability of the project.

Historic waters agreement of 1974

• In June 1974, an agreement was signed between PM of India, Indira Gandhi

and President of Srilanka, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, reiterating the declaration

of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay waters as ‘historic waters’ under the UN Law of the Sea 1958. United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (1958),

Convention of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone recognizes HISTORIC

Waters

US has refused to recognize the declaration of ‘historic waters’; USA claims these to

be international waters.

1. US Navy operational directive, was issued on 23 June 2005 reiterating their stand;

2. Chairman TCPT replies to PMO 30 June 2005 ; 3. Inauguration of SSCP 2 July 2005.

U.S. conducted operational assertions in 1993 and 1994, 1999 in Gulf of Mannar.

(jiska laat uski bhains or tadi eduttavan tandal kaaran) Aug 76 Act No. 80 Enables

government to declare waters as historic. Jun 79 Law No. 41.

The choice of the channel alignment along the medial line virtually creates an international waters boundary and indicates that India has succumbed to US

pressure tactics, apart from the fact that US has naval bases in Diego Garcia and

Straits of Malacca, and very-low-frequency listening posts in Trincomalee thus drawing these waters into the vortex of international geopolitics together with the

LTTE activities in the region and LTTE control of Pulmoddai monazite placer deposits close to Trincomalee. So, the question to be asked is: who benefits from the

proposed channel?

U. Arulanandam, President, Singaravelar Fishermen's Forum : the project is being

implemented to enforce the international boundary line in the waters.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114005902400.htm

Awareness campaigns and movement to declare Rama Setu as divyakshetram

Ramayana in which the building of the setu is described in a separate section in 85

verses is revered in many countries of the world. In Indonesia, in Prambanan


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(Brahmavana) temple, the entire episode of building the setu by Nala is depicted in

many sculpture panels of the 10th century. The demand of the Ram Setu Raksha Manch (Rama Setu Protection Forum) is to declare the setu as divyakshetram

(sacred monument) just as Tirupati hills were declared as divyakshetram recently.

Government of India should declare it as a monument of national importance and world heritage in terms of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and UNESCO

Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention to which India is a signatory.

The Rameswaram Ramasetu Protection Movement has announced an action plan to save the holy bridge, the divyakshetram -- Ramasetu not only in view of its

importance as a underwater heritage structure purported to have been built by the

legendary hero of Ramayana but also for of its importance from marine archaeology and strategic national security points of view.

Next phase of nationwide satsang and tirthayatras

Lakhs would converge at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on August 26 under the ‘Chalo Rameswaram’ programme to offer mass poojas at setutirtham (sacred waters of

On August 28 a ‘Ramasetu Raksha Bandhan’ would be observed. Weeklong

Krishnashtami celebrations from September 4 will be village-level campaigns to protect Rama setu.

From September 27 to October 10 Dharmacharyas, sadhus and sants and their

disciples will participate in the movement.

Hanuman Chalisa recitations from October 12 to 24, mass demonstration on October

25 and Shila Yatras from November 20 to December 20 will be held.

The petition which was signed by 35 lakh people and submitted to the former President will be supplemented by a demand for declaration of Rama Setu as

Divyakshetram and ‘underwater world heritage site’.

We hope Govt. of India and Govt. of Tamilnadu will respect the sentiments of

millions of people and not behave like the Taliban demolishing the Buddha of Bamiyan calling it a mere stone. Rama Setu is not mere sand, it is a divyakshetram,

revered for generations. It is world heritage which should be protected. The Madras High Court noted in their judgement of 19 June 2007 that under the Ancient

Monuments Act of 1958, the Rama Setu should be deemed to be a monument of

national importance. We hope that governments will respect this sage advice of the judiciary and declare Rama Setu as divyakshetram which is the government’s

responsibility to protect and cherish for present and future generations remembering

the adarsha purusha, Sri Rama, who is called Vigrahavan dharmah by Valmiki, that is the very embodiment of the values embodied in dharma which is the guiding

principle of the nation.

Here are some links with a lot of info.and frequent updates (please do visit and re-

visit the websites periodically):

Powerpoint presentation slides: http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/ramasetu20-july2007/


13

http://kalyan97.wordpress.com

http://hinduthought.googlepages.com http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97 (41 files for download as of 17 Aug. 2007)

Madras HC order (11 pages): http://tinyurl.com/28umzq

Rama Setu: 315 page e-book (5.2mb) The book presents multiple facets of the Setu Samudram Channel Project and

evidences for Rama Setu as a monument of international importance.

http://www.slideshare.net/kalyan97/ramasetu/ please right click this link and save the link or save the target in your desktop :

http://blip.tv/file/get/Prpoint-

AdamsBridgeAlsoKnownAsRamarBridgeAnAncientIndianHerita981.wmv (14.5 mb)

To view / listen to the PodMagazine, Please click the following link

http://poduniversal.blogspot.com/2007/05/adams-bridge-also-known-as-ramar-

bridge.html

Beyond Dhanushkodi (now submerged after the 1948, 1964 incursion of the sea) and

linking Talaimannar over a distance of 35 kms. and width of 3 to 5 kms. is Rama Setu.


14

Pamban gap and cantilever railway bridge linking Mandapam and Rameswaram

Dhanushkodi 15 kms. long sand banks

Why is the longest alignment chosen? An alignment through Dhanushkodi will be shorter by 36 nautical miles and save an extra 6 hours of navigation time and will

respect Sir A Ramaswamy Mudaliar recommendations that a channel passage

through Rama Setu should be ABANDONED.

Channel passage along alignment 6 and indicative dumping sites close to the medial line creating an international waters boundary.


15


16

Heatflow in Rama Setu 100 to 180 milliwatt per sq. m. comparable to Himalayan

hotsprings

Will dredging in the area activate these heat zones? This question has to be

answered by a multi-disciplinary team.


17

UNDP document (July 2000) with relevant info. related to undertakings by Govt.

of India and Govt. of Tamilnadu is attached.

The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (GOMMBR) has been notified in

1989 through an executive communication from the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Chief Secretary, Government

of Tamil Nadu. http://sethusamudram.gov.in/EIA.asp

See also: http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/hpg/envis/sdev/bios.htm

The term 'Biosphere Reserve' should denote an area: • which is, set aside for the

conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the

relationship between man and the environment; • which is, to serve as sites for long

term scientific research as well as education all over the world. The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB) programme by

UNESCO in 1971.

Critique at: http://www.tngreenmovement.org/mannarnote.html

http://www.ejustice.lk/article-Sethusamudram-%20Who%20stand%20for.htm http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5627E/x5627e06.htm

Gulf of Mannar is the first marine biosphere reserve (GOMBR) declared in India and

in south and Southeast Asia . It is located in the southeastern side of Tamilnadu

extending from Rameswaram in the North to Kanyakumari in the south. It has an area of 10,500 Sq.km with the core area covering 560 km (Rameshwarm to

Tuticorin), which is also maintained as Gulf of Mannar National Park (GOMNP). Due

to its extensive biological wealth, it was declared as a Marine National Park in 1986 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The GOMBR encompasses 21 islands and are

uninhabited ranging in size from 0.25 ha to 130 ha, spreading along the coast for

170 km with the closest being 500 m and the farthest over 4 km from shore. The GOMBR falls within the Indo-Malayan realm, which is the world's richest marine

biodiversity region. GOMBR harbours wide ranging marine resources such as marine algae, corals, echinoderms, mollusks, sponges, polychaetes, fishes and marine

mammals. At present 120 species of corals, under 33 genera have been recorded

from GOMBR. The IUCN commission on National Parks and Protected Areas, with the assistance of UNEP, UNESCO and WWF, identified the reserve as being an area of

"particular concern" given its diversity and special multiple-use management status.

Due to human interferences, the GOMBR marine products have been over exploited leading to drastic loss of marine natural products and biodiversity. Thus the Govt. of

Tamilnadu has formulated a project with the assistance of Govt. of India and Global

Environmental Facility (GEF) at a cost of around Rs.140 crores on "conservation and sustainable use of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's coastal Biodiversity" for a

period of 7 years starting from 2002. The statutory Trust by name Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust was formed under the project to ensure the Govt.

departments, Research Institutions, local communities and NGOs work together for

integrating biodiversity conservation and ensuring livelihood security for the people of the region.

As NIOT is developing coastal and ocean based technologies with particular

emphasis on islands, it is also planned to extend the scientific activities in the

GOMBR. Already, under the Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (OSTI)


18

programme, about six Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) surveys have been

conducted off Tuticorin area for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant to be demonstrated at off Tuticorin in Gulf of Mannar . In these cruises large amount of

data has been collected. Recently two cruises with Coastal Research Vessel Sagar

Purvi (during 24-31st May 2003 and 16 -18th September 2003) were conducted to study various physicochemical and biological parameters around the islands. Further

surveys are planned for all around the 21 islands. The two short terms cruises restricted only near the Tuticorin group of islands and aimed at developing a

database about the islands of Gulf of Mannar . The objectives of OSTI programme in

Gulf of Mannar includes

• Understanding the changes in physical and chemical oceanographic parameters along with weather conditions prevailing in the area.

• Studies on the transport of nutrients, heavy metal, suspended sediments and

other solid particles through coastal currents around the islands. • Development of a database for oceanographic parameters and model the

ecosystem using various computer tools.

• Studies on the larval stages of lobster phyllosoma, and puerulus in the coastal water and around the islands.

• Make a detailed survey to explore the possibility of sea ranching of lobster phyllosoma larvae.

• Conduct biodiversity survey in order to enhance the living marine resources in

and around the islands.

http://www.niot.res.in/m5/mbic/osti/research/project6c.htm

Setusamudram Channel Project should become Setusamudram land-based Canal Project (like the Suez or Panama canals) without impacting on or

damaging Rama Setu which is a World Heritage monument.

The channel passage is an extraordinary, experimental venture the like of

which does not exist anywhere else in the world. Both Suez and Panama canals are land-based canals which have enabled adequate protective

measures being built in the canals and to enhance navigation safety.

Plea for Advocate Commission

An Advocate-Commission should be constituted to resolve the contention made by the project authorities (including the Minister for Shipping) denying the very

existence of Rama Setu (also called Adam’s Bridge). In view of the failure of the

Government to declare this as a World Heritage site, an injunction should be issued that no damage should be caused to Rama Setu until the petitions are disposed of by

the court.

Risk of damage to an ancient monument of national importance

Blasting is provided in the Palk Bay area. There are reports that blasting may be

resorted to in Adam’s Bridge area which is NOT authorized in the EIA report and will be violative of the responsibilities to protect the Marine Bioreserve and National

Marine Parks in the area. An undertaking should be given by the Project authorities that no damage will be done to the Rama Setu until the issues are deliberated and

the contentions of the petitions judged.


19

Land-based Canal (like Panama or Suez) versus channel passage cut

through Rama Setu

NEERI introduced a new alignment which changed the entire nature of the project.

Failure to review the project after the tsunami of December 2004

EIA Report and Techno-economic feasibility reports are dated August 2004. On December 26, 2004 a devastating tsunami struck the region. The tsunami killed over

2,60,000 people and caused damage to the coastline of India and the lives of many people in coastal villages and harbours (e.g., Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Kollam).

The tsunami changed the bathymetry (sea-depth) of the region and the nature of the

region which is essentially a sedimentation sink. In some places, the sea-bed had

risen by as much as 300 metres. Such a sea-change should have resulted in a complete review of the project and redesign. Such a review was NOT done.

Surprisingly, the questions raised by Prime Minister’s Office in March 2005 about the

impact of the tsunami were dealt with in a peremptory manner instead of referring the entire issue to NEERI for re-evaluation and re-write of their Environment Impact

Analysis Report.

Ecological concerns of Srilanka

The report by 34 experts of Srilanka submitted to the Srilankan Cabinet in May 2007 brings out serious concerns on the ecological disaster that the project will cause in

Sri Lanka. In particular, there is a reference to the impact on drinking water

resources of both Jaffna and Rameswaram due to the damages by dredging or blasting, to ground-water caves and limestone layers in the bridge area. This means

that Sri Lanka may take the matter to the International Court of Justice to safeguard

their interests under the Historic Waters Agreement).

Availability of alternative alignments which will NOT damage Rama Setu

What has been considered as a canal (comparable to Suez or Panama as land-based and hence, controllable canal) since AL Mudaliar Committee Report of 1956, has

been transformed by NEERI in 2004 into a passage in the mid-ocean, cutting across

the Adam's Bridge. All the previous 5 alignments reviewed in detail DID NOT cut across the Adam's Bridge.

NEERI has failed to take note of the serious consequences noted by Mudaliar

Committee (Para 16) of any channel passage through Adam's Bridge.

Failure to evaluate the cultural significance of the project area

NEERI has failed to take note of the cultural significance of the Adam's Bridge. It is considered as Setu Teerth (clearly mentioned in the Kurma Purana) and adored in

the nation's ancient tradition.

Adam's Bridge has always been considered a bridge or causeway in ALL previous

texts, in ancient texts, in epigraphs, in travelogues, in government documents since the days of the British rule.


20

Radical change in project scope: Switch from canal to mid-ocean channel

passage

There has been NO due diligence before suggesting an alternative sixth alignment which seeks to create a passage in the mid-ocean.

Respondents' (Union of India) Counter No. 11 states:

"EIA study revealed that in view of the environmental sensitivity along the coastal

stretch of Gulf of Mannar harbouring the Marine National Pazrk, an alignment

keeping a minimum distance of 6 to 8 kms from Van-Tiu Island in Tuticorin and more than 20 kms from Shingle Island in Adam's Bridge approach area is the most

suitable. This alignment at a distance of 4 kms. From the Medial Line at Adam's

Bridge and about 3 kms. at other places."

Why was the ‘best choice’ given up?

This runs counter to the observations in the Techno-economic report also prepared

by NEERI in August 2004:

“All the earlier proposals selected the route, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar area

passing through Mandapam / Rameswaram etc. involving the dredging of a canal mainly through the land portion. These alignments were so selected as to optimize

the cost of dredging. An analysis of the earlier proposals reveal that with each

proposal, the canal was shifted eastwards mainly due to the apprehensions of the local population. The report prepared by NEERI in 1998 had considered modification

in route proposed by steering committee. However due to apprehension that route

around Dhanushkodi might require to cut through Coral reef, the route suggested by steering committee was considered the best choice.”

http://sethusamudram.gov.in/NSDRCSurvey.asp

It is surprising that thi best choice (Alignment 4) has been abandoned and

a channel passage has been proposed (Alignment 6) cutting through Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu), a choice which the A R Mudaliar Committee had noted

should be abandoned. NEERI and Project authorities have NOT provided reasons

why this Committee’s observations were ignored [observations which were honoured by all four subsequent committees including the Lakshminarayanan

Committee or Steering Committee which recommended Alignment 4 through

Dhanushkodi without impacting on or damaging Rama Setu (Adam’s Bridge)].

This statement also directly runs counter to the arguments advanced in AR Mudaliar Committee (1956) report whose observations related to Adam's Bridge have been

scrupulously observed by the various Committees which proposed and recommended

alternative alignments, all of which DID NOT pass through the Adam's Bridge. Neither the EIA report, nor the project feasibility reports discuss why the serious

objections raised by AL Mudaliar Committee Report were NOT discussed and were

NOT answered.

Excerpts below provide an overview of the alternative channel alignments considered

to either create a canal or just a passage across the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Straits. The categorical recommendations of AR Mudaliar Committee (1956) are as follows,

against any passage across the Adam's Bridge.


21

We are convinced that the Adam's Bridge site is unsuitable for the following reasons:

First: The shifting Sandbanks in this area present a far more formidable problem – both at the stage of construction and during maintenance – than

the sand dunes on the island site.

Secondly: The approaches to a channel would be far too open with no

possibility of construction of protective works. A channel at this site – even if it can be made and maintained (which is unlikely) – would entail definite

navigational hazard.

Thirdly: The channel would be bordering on the Sethusamudram Medial Line.

In these circumstances we have no doubt, whatever that the junction

between the two sea should be effectd by a Canal; and the idea of cutting a passage in the sea through Adam's Bridge should be abandoned.

By not heeding these warnings, what started as a canal project has been converted

into a mid-ocean channel passage cutting through Rama Setu with serious

conequences impacting upon the coastline of Tamilnadu and Kerala, causing consternation among experts in Srilanka and Jaffna residents related to impact on

drinking water supplies there and serious lapse of not including protection structures,

like the walls built in Japan, to protect against another tsunami in the region.

Historic Waters Agreement versus Creation of International Waters

Boundary and failure to analyse Geopolitical implications

AR Mudaliar Committee recommendations to stay away from the Medial Line have

been ignored. Instead, the new channel passage has been designed to run close to the Medial line. This is a violation of the Agreement entered into between Smt. Indira

Gandhi and Smt. Sirimavo Bandaranaike in June 1974 declaring the region as HISTORIC WATERS (that is, internal waters with full rights to coastal people of both

the countries to access the aquatic resources of the waters). By choosing such an

alignment, the Government, is, in effect, succumbing to the pressure of USA which refused to recognize this Agreement and this declaration of HISTORIC WATERS. To

prove their refusal, as operational assertions, US naval vessels were repeatedly sent

into the waters. By effectively creating an International Waters Boundary where such a boundary NEVER EXISTED, there are apprehensions that the traditional historic

rights enjoyed by the people of India and Srilanka have been abrogated. Such an

abrogation has serious consequences for the livelihood of the coastal people and introduces a new geopolitical issue in the region, given the importance of the

shipping routes from Straits of Hormuz through Straits of Malacca for oil tanker traffic to the West Coast of USA and other countries east of India.

An unusual (coincidence?) event occurred on 23 June 2005 following the visit of US

naval ships in 1993, 1994 and 1999 in the region to assert the US failure to recognize the traditional claims of India and Srilanka treating these as HISTORIC

waters under the Law of the Sea 1958.

By choosing a channel passage running close to the medial line, a new phenomenon

is sought to be created: an international waters boundary between India and


22

Srilanka. A medial line is only relevant for recognizing the ownership of ocean

properties of shanka (chank) and pearl fisheries. Traditionally, fishermen and pearl-divers had the freedom to move across the medial line treating the waters as

historic, internal waters. US Navy Operational Directive of 23 June 2005 treating

these as international waters is a serious assault on the nation's sovereignty and integrity. NEERI did not take into account the implications of the intrusion of

international politics in this region.

The impact on the lives of fisherfolk and coastal people will be devastating if the new new channel passage becomes a de facto international waters boundary since fish

resources are available on the Srilanka side and will become inaccessible to the

coastal people of Bharatam.

Imperative of incorporating tsunami protection measures

Impossibility of protection structures if a mid-ocean channel passage is

chosen

Tsunami protection measures are needed not only for saving lives of the coastal

people, but the properties along the coastline (including critical atomic installations) and the thorium reserves accumulated in Manavalakurichi (Tamilnadu), Aluva and

Chavara (Kerala). In fact, Rama Setu acted like a sieve for the ocean currents in accumulating these placer deposits. Cutting through the Rama Setu for a channel

passage will impact on the accumulation process for these deposits critical for India’s

nuclear program (the reserves will meet the energy needs of the nation for over 350 years according to BARC).

Need to provide canal locks

Not only should protective structures be included against tsunami and cyclones, but

there should be locks provided on either end of the canal (as in Panama canal) to limit the ingress of saline Bay of Bengal waters and their turbulence into the placid,

fragile ecozone of the Marine Bioreserve in Gulf of Mannar.

It is surprising that these recommendations have been suddenly abandoned in favour

of a mid-ocean passage increasing the distance of the channel for ships, increased dredging quantities with related increased costs and exposing the entire coastline of

Tamilnadu and Kerala to devastation in a tsunami of the type that struck on Dec. 26,

2004. In fact, all the alignments considered so far should be revisited and reevaluated taking into account the impact on sea-depths caused by this tsunami.

The failure to consider Mudaliar Committee injunctions against any Adam's Bridge alignment and the failure to consider the impact of a tsunami on the alternative

channels and the failure to provide tsunami protection measures as an integral and vital component of the project raise matters of serious concern to coastline security

and security of the coastal people.

After the NEERI suggestion of alignment 6 (the present alignment on which work is

proceeding), a cataclysmic event occurred, the tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004. This event should have necessitated a TOTAL and COMPREHENSIVE review of the entire project

since the bathymetry (sea-depths) had changed (with rise of the sea-bed by about

200 metres in some regions) and devastation of aquatic life by denuding the


23

resources in the Gulf of Mannar by as much as 66 percent. As observed in PMO

observations of 8 March 2005, the impact of any future tsunami on the chosen channel passage should have been subjected to a careful, multi-disciplinary review

and evaluation. This was not done. PMO observations also referred to the views of

tsunami-expert, Prof. Tad S Murthy who opined that the chosen alignment with the mouth of the channel directed to the direction of the tsunami would result in the

destruction of Kerala and of Tamilnadu coastline due to 1. experience of the tsunami of 1964 in Alberni canal and 2. the principle of quarter wave resonance amplification

(when a body of water forcefully tries to enter a tube, the wave amplitude increases

four-fold). This is what happened in Alberni canal resulting in the devastation of Alberni port.

Importance of Rama Setu in accumulation of placer deposits of thorium

(nuclear fuel)

NEERI did not take into account the role of Adam's bridge and ocean currents in the

accumulation of placer deposits of thorium, a vital nuclear resource of the nation. The impact of another tsunami on these resources have also not been taken into

account since the new passage is likely to function like a funnel absorbing the energy

of the tsunami (instead of the waves going around Srilanka) and thus, directly impacting the coastline.

Rama Setu as a monument of national and international importance (See

Annex 1 on definition of monument and criteria for determining national importance)

Rama Setu should be deemed to be a world heritage site

Rama Setu (Adam's bridge) is a sacred monument. NEERI has failed to take this fact

into account before suggesting the new channel passage route.

Many monuments in India have also been declared as World Heritage Sites by

UNESCO. Some examples of such declaration: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1138 Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of

Marine Protection in Panama

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653 Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the Philippines http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/898 Kvarken Archipelago / High Coast in

Sweden/Finland http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369 Giant's causeway and Causeway coast in UK

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154 Great Barrier Reef in Australia

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764 Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System in Belize http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/80 Mont St. Michel and its bay in France

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/672 Ha Long Bay in Vietnam

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/306 Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe

Rama Setu (or Nala Setu) should be declared as such a World Heritage Site.

Here's how a US court deals with desiccation of a sacred mountain in USA:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.html


24

U.S. court backs Indian tribe on sacred mountain

Failure to evaluate cultural significance of Rama Setu

“There are no archaeologically significant structures along the proposed

channel alignment. However, there are apprehensions of encountering cultural/ archaeological artifacts during the excavation of the channel though borehole

data generated by the National Ship Design Research Centre (NSDRC) does

not support such a situation.” Source: http://sethusamudram.gov.in/EIA.asp#Env Environmental Impact

Assessment for Proposed Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project by

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute Nehru Marg, Nagpur - 440 020 August 2004

This statement by NEERI is an example of suggestion falsi and suppression veri.

Environment Impact Assessment Manual (Jan. 2001) of Dept. of Forests and

Environments stipulates: "Assessment of impact on significant historical, cultural and archaeological sites/places in the area."

No discussion on this topic is found in the NEERI’s Environmental Impact Analysis

report.

The entire complex on either end of the Rama Setu is an archaeologically and

culturally rich region. A cursory list of tirthasthaana venerated in the Indian tradition

would have revealed that Setutirtha has always been as sacred as the tirtha of Ganga near Varanasi. In fact, the tradition is that water from Ganga is brought by

pilgrims to do abhishekam to Rameshwara and to perform tirthasnaanam in

Setutirtha. The very word Setusamudram in the project name is indicative of the significance. Setu in Tamil is explained in Abhidaanakosam as ‘ceyar karai’ that is,

artificial bund (NOT natural bund). Rama Setu or Nala Setu or Setubandha are mentioned in many ancient texts including Ramayana, Mahabharata and almost all

Puranas. A Prakrit kaavya called Setubandha was written by King Damodara Sena in

6th century. Setu sculptures adorn the Prambanan (Brahmavana) temple in java,Indonesia. The name Dhanushkodi is a reference to the tradition associated with

Sri Rama using the Dhanus to combat Samudraraja (depicted in a Ravivarma

painting adorning Mysore palace).

Aasetu himachalam, logo of Survey of India

Survey of India has the logo: Aasetu himachalam indicating the Setu as a boundary

marker of India.

Cartographic, epigraphic, numismatic, literary evidences for the existence of

Rama Setu or Setubandha

A mere look at the maps of University of Chicago called South Asia Atlas edited by

Schwartzberg would have shown the importance of the Setu mentioned in many ancient maps including the observations in Al-Biruni’s texts, showing Setu and

Adam’s Bridge within parenthesis.


25

• A monument to be declared or deemed to be of national importance, DOES

NOT have to be man-made. • Brahmasarovar has been deemed to be an ancient monument. About 5 lakh

pilgrims go there on a solar eclipse day for tirthasnaanam and to offer

tarpanam to ancestors. (Punjab and Haryana HC order 1993). • The name given by British cartographers, Adam’s Bridge shows that it was

recognized as a structure relatable to the first man on earth. Christians and Muslims believe that Adam after banishment from heaven walked across the

bridge to reach Adam’s Peak (called Vishnupaadam).

• Parantaka Chola (10th century) has a Velanjeri Copper plate inscription which states that he went to Setutirtha for tirthasnaanam and offered

tulaabhaaram. Arguments for Setubandha as a sacred monument. Many

textual evidences, Asiatic researches, epigraphs prove Setubandha as a monument sacred in Bharatiya tradition.

• For centuries, Rama Setu has served as a land bridge linking India and

Srilanka (evidenced by scores of ancient maps and research reports). • Thousands of Setu coins of Aryachakravarti of 10th to 13th centuries have

been found in Jaffna. The Srilanka end of the Setu has a Mahatirtha (Mahatittha) and a Shiva temple.


26

Annex 1

THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958

ACT NO. 24 OF 1958 1*

[28th August, 1958.]

An Act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of

archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and

other like objects.

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines an ‘

Ancient Monument ’ as follows:-

Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or

place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of

historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes—

1. Remains of an ancient monument,

2. Site of an ancient monument,

3. Such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, a

4. The means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument;

The section 2(d) defines archaeological site and remains as follows:

Archaeological site and remains means any area which contains or is reasonably

believed to contain ruins or relics of historical or archaeological importance which

have been in existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes—

1. Such portion of land adjoining the area as may be required for fencing or

covering in or otherwise preserving it, and

2. The means of access to, and convenient inspection of the area; http://asi.nic.in/asi_monuments.asp

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) are responsible for identifying

new monuments and ensuring existing ones are protected. English Heritage (EH) advises DCMS in these matters.

Criteria for designating a Scheduled Ancient Monument

The following criteria are used by the local government of Cheltenham in UK

“Only monuments of national importance are included in the list. Decisions regarding

whether a monument is of national importance are guided by criteria laid down by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. This criteria is as follows:


27

o Extent of survival

o current condition o rarity

o representivity, either through diversity or because of one important

attribute o importance of the period to which the monument dates

o fragility o connection to other monuments, or group value

o potential to contribute to our information, understanding and

appreciation o extent of documentation enhancing the monument's significance”

http://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/libraries/templates/ourservice.asp?URN=4031&Folde

rID=0


Pressnote23aug

Technology

weeklong krishnashtami

hanuman chalisa

navy operational

called vigrahavan

deskpdf pdf

high heat

ramasetu raksha

press conference