Video Evidence Of Environmental Disaster Underway In Vizhinjam
By Joseph Vijayan
09 January, 2016
Countercurrents.org
Here are two videos that show the enviromental destruction caused by dredging for the Vizhinjam Transit Harbour Project! One shot on January 2, 2016 after the dredging started and the other shot in February, 2015. These two contrasting videos show how a unique marine ecosystem is being destroyed in the name of development. First video shows an ecosystem in destruction. The second video shot before the dredging started shows a heavenly ecosystem underwater. It is a unique ecosystem rich with corals, sponges and other forms of marine life. Do not think that all our sea bottoms are like this. There are only very few such areas. The area is close to only Wedge Bank in India, and one of only 20 in the entire world. This is like our Silent Valley forest in the land. Unfortunately, it is being destroyed forever
Video Shot in 02 January 2016- After the dredging began
This underwater video was taken on 2 January 2016 by a team of divers under the leadership of Robert Panipillai of the group "Friends of Marine Life" based in Trivandrum. The location is just 200 to 500 mts off the Vizhinjam coast in Trivandrum, Kerala where dredging is being done Adanis as part of constructing a port. Among fishers this sea bottom area is known as "Perumakkallu" rich with various life forms and fish habitats.. Look at the pipefish (seahorse) pathetically feeling its destroyed habitat.. I have the video of the same area taken in February 2015 so rich with sponges, corals and other forms of life.. Now this area is getting submerged with dredging materials and sediments... Should we support this port construction that kills such marine ecosystems?
Posted by Josph Vijayan on Friday, January 8, 2016
Video shot in February 2015 , before dredging
Earlier I posted the underwater video off Vizhinjam coast after the dredging was started by Adanis. Now here is the video clip of the same area known as "Perumakkallu" shot in February 2015. This video was also taken by Robert Panipillai's group of divers. You can see the richness of the marine ecosystem in this area with corals, sponges and other forms of marine life. Please do not think that all our sea bottoms are like this. There are only very few such areas. This is like our Silent Valley forest in the land. Unfortunately we cannot see this in open. Thanks to Robert and team we are lucky to have a glimpse of it. But this is getting destroyed. You should see this video in the context of the Supreme Court Order dated 16th December 2015 on the Vizhinjam case. It reads like this, "Learned Counsel representing the Port Trust and the State of Kerala undertake, that if the action of construction is interfered with by this Court in this case, the Port Trust as well as the State of Kerala will restore the environmental status to its original position." The case is still on and the petitions filed by me and few others to stay dredging and other construction activities at Vizhinjam is still pending before the Supreme court. Meanwhile one justice on 6 Jan 2016 has recused himself from hearing the matter. It is going to come up before another bench on 13 Jan 2016. Will the supreme court be kind enough to stay this destructive activity by fully funded by Govt of Kerala? Can this environment be restored by anyone after it is destroyed by Adanis?
Posted by Josph Vijayan on Friday, January 8, 2016