Kerala seeks scientific solutions to save ‘sinking island’ village

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the state Assembly that the government would take all possible measures to protect Thuruth and assured to consider a special package for its conservation and development. 

Formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River about 27 kms away from Kollam, the island is named after British administrative head of erstwhile Travancore kingdom, Colonel John Munroe. Vijayan said Munroe island had suffered wide destruction in the tsunami of 2004. The agriculture and fishing sectors had suffered the worst. 

“Rising water level due to high tide and seepage of saline water from Astamudi Lake are the main threat which the place is facing now,” he said, adding that not only houses, but roads and pathways in the island were destroyed due to it.

The Chief Minister was replying to a calling attention by Kovoor Kunjumon MLA on difficulties being faced by people living in Munroe Thuruth due to its gradual submerging. 

“A technical institution like Centre for Earth Science Studies should be entrusted with the task of conducting a scientific study to find out a permanent solution for this. It is essential for the existence of the island,” he said. Kunjumon said over 10,000 people are living in the sinking island. “It is under the active consideration of the government,” Vijayan said.