They may meet needs of construction industry for 50 years

The offshore areas of Kerala hold enough sand resources to meet the requirements of the construction industry in the State for about 50 years, a study conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has revealed.

At the Boatkhali Kadambini Pre-primary School on Sagar Island in the Sunderbans, classes stop for five-six days each, twice a month, during June to August. Sea water invades the classrooms to a height of one-and-a-half feet, rendering teaching impossible.

"It recedes after two-three hours, but it happens twice a day for a few days, so no classes are possible. Children only come for the midday meal," a teacher at the school said.

A consultative workshop to discuss findings and debate a national assessment report on 'Coastal Erosion in Pakistan' on Wednesday highlighted various concerns including manmade development and clim

Illegal sand mining continues unabated on the beaches of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur.

This is particularly true to Paradip, Gadabisunipur, Padmapur, Ramatala, Siali, Kalapeti, Abhayachandapur in Kujang and Ersama blocks of Jagatsinghpur and Pentha beach in Kendrapada district.

Coral reefs facing threat from pollution, dredging and blast fishing

A swelling population, land use change, unscientific waste disposal, mining of corals, coastal erosion, and unregulated construction are exerting pressure on the Lakshadweep islands, one of the most sensitive and fragile coastal environments in the country.

The pollution control board has received 45 complaints raising serious concerns against the proposed Vizhinjam port, like impact or changes in shoreline at Vizhinjam, loss of tourism revenue, rehab

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has reconstituted the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority for a three-year period.

The newly reconstituted 12-member committee is headed by the State Environment Secretary and includes Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Directors of Panchayats, Tourism, Industries, Chief Engineers of Water Resource Department, Public Works Department among others as members. The order was issued by Maninder Singh, Union Joint Secretary.

Unregulated tourism and development activity along beaches like Mandarmani and Digha in West Bengal is killing turtles including the vulnerable Olive Ridleys, say researchers.

The Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, which has deep rooted influence over the fishing community along the coastal stretch of the district, has expressed its reservations over the multi-purp