THE reserve forest at Kuakata sea beach is disappearing day by day due to continuous erosion by the Bay of Bengal. Sand is getting removed from the tree roots due to frequent tidal surges. The rise in water levels is abnormal due to climate change impacts. Every year, erosion due to frequent hit by tidal surges causes depletion of the reserve forest in Kuakata sea beach, badly affecting the natural beauty of the picturesque tourist spot. The recent cyclone Amphan and high tides have uprooted several trees in the coastal forest. Marine, environment and soil specialists should come forward with ideas to protect the sea beach and the government should execute.
We know Kuakata is a spectacular beach where one can have a sight of both the rising and setting sun. At one time, the coconut garden, palm garden, and the tamarisk garden of the National Park on Kuakata beach attracted more tourists. But coconut orchards and palm orchards are now facing extinction, while the mangrove forest is now disappearing. In 2005, the government declared 5,661 hectares of forest land in Kuakata as National Park. To make Kuakata more attractive to tourists, the Forest Department created a tamarisk garden covering about 10,000 hectares of land adjacent to the beach.
At least 50 hectares of forest land are being destroyed every year due to erosion and tidal surges. Thus, in the last five years, 250 hectares of forest land has been lost to the sea as tidal surges frequently hit the beach. The width of the longest beach was 18 km that has now shrunk due to continuous erosion. At high tide, tourists are unable to walk on the beach. If the beach is not protected from erosion, the whole forest will disappear one day.
Thankfully, the forest department has taken extended plantation project to create orchards to prevent tidal surges. The government should protect the sea beach by taking proper steps at the proper time.
