Assist Udwada trust

Udwada has been enjoying the status of a pilgrim-cum-tourist center. However, every monsoon brings in its wake loss of coastal land and damage to the properties on the seafront with the advancing sea and the attendant erosion.

The Save Udwada Trust (SUT) founded by the late Homi Taleyarkhan has been taking steps to counter this threat. Engineers of the Central Water and Power Research Centre, Khadak­vasla have worked out a suitable design of sea-walls (break-waters). Seven such sea-walls constructed at a cost of Rs 56 lakhs now protect the southern part of the beach covering the Pirojsha Pallonji High School, the Damanwala Dispensary, Sir J. J. Sanatorium, houses of mobed sahibs and the fishermen’s colony. The government of Gujarat contributed 75 percent of the cost and the SUT had to raise the balance 25 percent by way of donations.

Now it is the northern portion of the seashore that is under the attack of giant monsoon waves which are washing away nearly 100 m of the beach and demolishing compound walls. Moreover, the waves over-topping the sandy beach flood the streets. If measures are not taken now, there is a threat of sea-water reaching the backyard wall of Shri Iranshah as also the homesteads of priests and the possibility of fresh water turning salty.

The SUT has once again approached the Government of Gujarat for the construction of additional sea-walls (break-waters). Of the estimated cost of over one crore rupees, the SUT has to raise 15 percent. Approximately Rs 16 lakhs have to be deposited in the government kitty so that work could begin at an early date. The government has already invited tenders for the project.

Your generous contribution will go a long way in halting the landward march of the sea and maintaining the holy abode of Shri Iranshah in its pristine glory.

Your cheque in favor of Save Udwada Trust may be forwarded to Naozer B. Baldawala, trustee, Save Udwada Trust, C/o M/s Buildtech India, 27, Kailas Darshan, 7th floor, Kennedy Bridge, Nana Chowk, Bombay 400007. Tel: 23890912/23890913.

Donations qualify for exemption from Income Tax under section 80G.

Dr V. M. MEHER-HOMJI

Honorary Secretary, Save Udwada Trust