Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 2: Sasihithlu Munda beach has a good reputation for its appearance even in foreign countries. However, it has been hit by severe river erosion. The erosion is at its worst at the confluence of the two rivers. The erosion is so serious that two buildings are likely to crash to the ground.

The erosion at the meeting point of rivers Shambhavi and Nandini has been so severe that two huge casuarina trees have got uprooted. The sea erosion has consumed further land. A part of a rented shop's foundation has already collapsed. The locals feel that if the erosion continues, the entire building might get inundated in a couple of days.

A building of the Beach Development Committee had been providing shelter to lifeguards and staff of the beach. Now this building too is on the verge of being consumed by surging water. Unless some preemptive measures are undertaken, the boulders stacked in the form of a permanent protective wall might reach the depths of the sea anytime. Out of three shops constructed by the Beach Development Committee, two have already suffered because of the draught of water. The third shop and the public toilet next to it may also perish, the local fishermen say.

This toilet has been closed for a year as the miscreants have damaged the things belonging to the toilet. Devaki, a local, says that politicians and officials come and go and they have not shown the willpower to save the beach. she points out that this beach is devoid of lifeguards, police, protection to tourists etc. She says she cleans the beach every day and has not been paid a salary for the last three months.

Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat member, Vinod Kumar Bollur, says the problems have been brought to the notice of MLA, Umanath Kotian. He said that technical permission for the development of Sasihithlu beach on the model of Maravanthe beach is awaited.