Erosion at Udvada

Several coastal places have been experiencing severe sea-erosion and Udvada is no exception. To counter the menace of land and properties being washed away by sea, the late Homi Taleyarkhan founded the Save Udvada Trust (SUT) and secured the support of the Gujarat government in building seven sea-walls (break-waters) at a total cost of 56 lakh rupees. While the government contributed 75 percent of the cost, SUT raised the balance (14 lakhs) for constructing the sea-walls that now protect the southern portion of the beach covering the Pirojshah Pallonji High School, the Damanwala Dispensary, Sir J. J. Sanatorium, the homesteads of mobed sahebs and the fishermen’s colony.

Now the unprotected northern portion of the beach has come under severe attack from the advancing sea. In the monsoon, the giant waves overtopping the sand-dunes flood the roads and even the backyard of Iranshah. If steps are not taken now, the situation would worsen in the years to come.

Sacred places like Dwarka in Gujarat and Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu now lie submerged under the sea! Realizing the gravity of the problem, the Gujarat government has once again come to our rescue offering to contribute 80 percent of the cost of one crore sixteen lakh rupees, provided the SUT raises the balance amount i.e. Rs 46.40 lakhs. The design of the time-tested sea-walls is arrived at by computer technology by the engineers of the Central Water and Power Research Station, Poona. It may be mentioned that the Gujarat government has at its own cost of eight lakhs also arranged to repair the earlier constructed seven sea-walls damaged during the monsoons of the last six years.

Sea-walls (breakwaters) in Udvada to prevent beach erosion

Your generous donation in favor of "Save Udvada Trust” may be forwarded by crossed cheque or demand draft to either: Temas A. Pandole, Chairman, Save Udvada Trust, B-301 Shaligram Apartment, Pandav, Bungalow Lane, Opp Lal Bungalow, Athwa Lines, Surat 395004, or Naozer B. Baldawala, Trustee, Save Udvada Trust, 27 Kailas Darshan, 7th floor, Kennedy Bridge, Nana Chowk, Bombay 400007.

Your donations qualify for Income Tax rebate under section 80G.

Dr V. M. MEHER-HOMJI

Joint honorary secretary, Save Udvada Trust