Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Hon'able Prime Minister of India
Govt. of India
Chairman, IBWL
South Block New Delhi - 110001                                                                                     , 1999

Dear Sir,

We are deeply concerned to learn that the Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu is under serious consideration by the State and Central Governments.

As you know that Gulf of Mannar, has already been notified as a National Park and is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve not only in India but also in South and South East Asia. The reserve covers 10,500 sq. km and has 21 islands with continuous stretches of coral reef. The coral reefs which surround the islands in the area are highly productive and are often referred to as "underwater tropical rain forest" and a treasure house for marine ornamental fishes. This unique marine ecosystem of Gulf of Mannar is one of the richest for biodiversity resources in the Indian subcontinent. The richness of its biodiversity can be gauged from the fact that more than 3,600 species of  fauna and flora have been recorded in this reserve.

Moreover, more than 138 villages and towns spread over five districts depend heavily on the fishery resources of the Gulf. Commercial fishing is done in about 5,500 sq. km. and nearly 50,000 people dwelling in 47 villages along the coastline bordering the Gulf of Mannar depend directly on the biodiversity resources of the Biosphere reserve for their livelihood.

The Project besides endangering the livelihood of thousands of people along the coast will destroy the unique marine ecosystem of the Biosphere reserve, through constant dredging, which will throw up mud deposits on the coral reef and thereby smother the reef ecosystem. The area also  supports endangered species such as the Dugong and Marine turtles which will face the brunt of  the development pressures as envisaged by the Project.

The area is already under severe stress due to increasing number of industries on the coast. Some of these like the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station and the Dhrangadhra Chemical and Tuticorin Salt Marine Chemicals have been discharging ash and effluents, thus adversely affecting the seagrasses and coral ecosystem in the vicinity. Moreover, Biosphere Reserves are protected areas representative of a unique environment and are internationally recognised under UNESCO MAB Programme (Man and Biosphere) for their value in Conservation and Management of Natural resources through scientific research and monitoring to support sustainable development of resources.

The establishment of the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere reserve has enhanced India's position as an environmentally responsible country in the comity of nations. We must not fritter this away.

In the light of the above observations we urge you not to undertake the project and save a unique ecosystem and a national wealth from certain destruction.

Thanking you,
 

Yours sincerely,