Let science be reason
If faith does not deter Sethusamudram

The now-withdrawn Government's affidavit in the Supreme Court with regard to the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project, denying the historicity of Lord Ram, has catapulted the issue of this proposed sea route into national consciousness. No doubt, many billions of Indians have an emotional link with the Ram Setu, or Adam's Bridge as it is otherwise called, given its connection with Lord Ram and the vaanar sena. However, the opposition on cultural grounds to this project has overshadowed what may be more important to the everyday lives of many Indians, namely, its environmental impact. This, on the face of it, appears to be so colossal in its effects that the project may merit abandonment on this score alone or, at the very least, a severe restructuring. The Government has blithely brushed under the carpet this very serious issue so far -- one that would outbalance any gains that are visualised to accrue in the long run. It has ignored the serious concerns raised by many eminent scientists, hydrologists and tsunami experts and has sought to airbrush the issues raised by them. The country has a right to know why the opinion of these various experts is being ignored in the hurry to go ahead with the project. For instance, an important point raised by scientists is that the Ram Setu provides a natural barrier to cyclones -- this region is susceptible to tropical cyclones -- and, importantly, to tsunamis, to which southern Kerala would especially be vulnerable, if the Setu were to be tampered with. A tsunami expert has calculated that tsunami energy would be funnelled into the channel, in its present alignment, to meet up with that part of the wave coming from around Sri Lanka, with devastating effect on Kerala, so far naturally protected.

There are other concerns that the dredging activity, and the channel itself, will affect factors such as water flows, water temperature and salinity, all of which will have varied negative impacts on the region, such as on rainfall patterns and coastal erosion. Not the least important is the effect on the ecological and marine wealth in the surrounding waters. The Palk Strait is home to many species of algae, seagrasses, sea turtles, hawksbills, olive ridleys, leatherbacks and loggerheads. Some of these species are quite rare, while many exquisite coral formations are also found in the waters. All of these will be disturbed by the channel. The Government's insensitivity towards the environment, in days when environmental costs are always factored in when evaluating the viability of any project, seems unsupportable. It seems even more mystifying when it emerges that the very viability of the project has been questioned by knowledgeable people on economic grounds. Is the explanation for the Government's attitude and haste to be found in its promotion of friendly vested commercial interests?