| Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project |
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HISTORY Possibly conceived in 1860 by Commander A. D. Taylor of the Indian Marines, the project has been reviewed many times over the years but no decision was ever made. It was part of the election manifestos of all political parties during elections. The Union Government of India appointed the Sethu Samudram Project Committee in 1955, headed by Dr. A. Ramasamy Mudaliar, which was charged with the duty of examining the desirability of the project. Vaiko , the General Secretary of MDMK, whose continuous efforts made this project come true. He wrote letter to the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee when he was jailed under POTA as followup. He has shown great interest on Sathusamudram Project. After evaluating the costs and benefits, this committee found the project feasible and viable. Several reviews of the proposals followed. Finally, the United Progressive Alliance Government of India headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the inauguration of the project on June 2 , 2005 . BENEFITS The strategic advantages to India derive from obtaining a navigable sea route close to the coast, with a reduction in travel distance of more than 350 nautical miles (650 km) (for larger ships). The project is expected to provide a boost to the economic and industrial development of coastal Tamil Nadu . The project will be of particular significance to Tuticorin harbour, which has the potential to transform itself into a nodal port. The State Government has announced its proposal to develop 13 minor ports, including Ennore , Cuddalore , Nagapattinam , Thondi , Valinokam , Kolachel and Kanyakumari . Development of the canal and ports is also expected to provide increased maritime security for Tamil Nadu. ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED Environmental
Though there has been a demand from various quarters for the implementation of the project, there is also opposition to it from Environmentalists . They point out that the dredging of the Palk Strait and the Gulf Of Mannar could affect the Ecology of the zone by changing currents, which could:
They also point out that Dredging the canal could stir up the dust and Toxins that lie beneath the sea bed, affecting marine life. The emptying of Bilge Water from ships travelling through the hitherto impassable areas could diperse Invasive Species through the ecosystems of the area. These effects could endanger precious marine species and wealth. The Gulf of Mannar has 3,600 . Associated with these Ecosystems are many varieties of fish and Crustaceans . Marine life on the Sri Lankan side, which is better protected, is even richer. The Bar Reef off the Kalpitiya peninsular alone has 156 species of coral and 283 of fish; there are two other coral reef systems around Mannar and Jaffna. There are extensive banks of oysters, as well as Indian Chank and Sea Cucumbers, especially in the seas adjacent to Mannar. The pearl fisheries south of Mannar, which inspired Georges Bizet 's Opera '' Les Pêcheurs De Perles '', have not been productive for many years, indicating the fragility of these ecosystems in the face of overfishing and of relatively minor changes in the habitat. However official environmental clearance has been given for the project. The contention that the Sethusamudram Canal will cut through Coral Reef s and disturb the ecology has been dismissed as a mistaken fear. The Indian government has conducted various environmental studies which has concluded that such issues are overblown and not based on science. Nevertheless, the fundamental environmentalist objections remain, that
After environmental objections were made in Sri Lanka, the Indian government belatedly decided to carry out modelling, but this had not been done before clearance was given for the project. A modelling exercise carried out by Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) indicated that the project would increase the water flow from the Bay Of Bengal to the Gulf of Mannar, disturbing the inland water balance as well as the eco-systems in the Gulf. {Link without Title}
On July 2 , 2005 , the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiled the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project amidst protests from fishermen and environmentalists. Nearly 600 were arrested. Political and economic There have been concerns that the dredging would increase the water flow, thus eroding and even submerging the western Jaffna coastline. However as the project is nearly 50 km from the coastline of Sri Lanka few geologists believe it will have any serious harm. Moreover some have chipped in saying that the economic benefits will be mutual for Sri Lanka as much as it is for India by reviving minor ports in Sri Lanka. The underdeveloped region of Northern Srilanka is currently occupied by LTTE. Sethusamudram project could potentially allow economic benefits to this region. This is being viewed with mutual suspsicon of both Sri Lankan and Tamil leaders. Further it is expected that in addition to Colombo, new ports to be developed near Jaffna. There has also been criticism expressed, on the basis that the project could damage relations with Sri Lanka . Legendary Some claim that this land bridge is the site of the famous Rama Bridge . For this reason, many oppose the project. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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