Thiruvananthapuram: The natural coral reefs and rich marine life present in Kovalam are no longer safe, thanks to the apathy of the authorities concerned.
The plastic waste burning on the beach is threatening the coral reefs, according to ‘Friends of Marine Life,’ an NGO working for the protection of marine life, which found two new coral colonies at Kovalam beach and Santa Cruz beach near Thumba beach recently.
Robert Panipilla of ‘Friends’ said that during high tides, plastic waste is washed into the sea posing a threat to marine life and coral reefs. “New reefs are being found on beaches here after many years. Coral reefs are the most diverse and rich in marine life. It will take years for the two coral colonies to become proper coral reefs. We have to nurture and protect them,” he said.
He wanted that fishing should be strictly banned in areas where coral reefs are located. There are over 30 spots at Kovalam with around nine varieties of corals. “The authorities should take steps to protect marine life and its ecosystem. Climate change and pollution are destroying coral reefs globally. Net fishing should be banned in such areas. The flow of plastic waste via estuaries is also posing a huge threat to marine life,” he added. There are three estuaries in the coastal belt and every monsoon a huge quantity of accumulated plastic and other waste is being pumped into the ocean.
