Kochi: Beach turns into breeding ground for pythons – Times of India

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KOCHI: Even as the government attempts to revive the pandemic-hit tourism sector, authorities fail to ensure a clean beach at Fort Kochi. The footpaths in the beach area has already been destroyed and the beach is full of waste.
The walkway constructed in 2017 is in a dilapidated condition. “Still, the authorities are hesitant to do anything for reconstructing the walkway. The beach is filled with water hyacinth, plastic and other garbage being carried by the tide. In the absence of proper cleaning, the entire area remains untidy,” said Antony Kureethra, opposition leader, Kochi corporation. “Snakes would crisscross the beach. On Thursday morning, we saw four pythons, including a big one and three snakelets. We were cleaning the beach. The snakes hid in the bushes around the rocks which remain scattered all around. District administration and Kochi corporation authorities are not taking any action. We have submitted a memorandum to the district collector in this regard,” Kureethra said.
A proper breakwater is required for preventing sea erosion. It was during the sea erosion that the walkways in the beach were destroyed. A vast portion of the beach has been lost due to sea erosion over the years. Despite the call by the local residents and others for constructing breakwaters, authorities haven’t done anything.
In the absence of proper surveillance, the beach has become a safe haven for drug peddlers. “It is at the beach that dealing of drugs to all parts of the district is being held. The peddlers would be there during daytime as well as night.
Earlier, there was a special squad deployed by city police commissioner to nab such criminals. The presence of squad could rein in the drug peddlers to a certain extent. Now, there is no such squad,” a resident of Fort Kochi said.
CCTV surveillance cameras should be installed in the beach and its vicinity. The activities should be monitored by the police at Fort Kochi station.
All the public toilets in the beach are not usable. Authorities should take urgent measures to construct public toilets in the area, residents demanded.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/beach-turns-into-breeding-ground-for-pythons/articleshow/88058919.cms


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