CPI-M MP seeks Modi's intervention to save scenic island

Kochi: A CPI(M) MP has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "kind and immediate intervention" to save a scenic island in southern Kerala which is shrinking due to global warming.

Rajya Sabha MP K N Balagopal has shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, seeking his "special care" to protect the lives of 15,000 people living in Munroe island which is being hit by increasing level of saline water.

"This island would be the first island in the country which might be drowned because of global warming," said Balagopal in his letter.

The island, located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River in Kollam district, is named after the British Administrative head of erstwhile Travancore kingdom Colonel John Munro.

"Because of the increasing level of saline water, the life in Munroe island in Kollam District is very difficult now. This island is around 10 square kilometers, of which majority area is marshy lands and have a population of more than 15,000 people," Balagopal said.

He said the Delta Island, known locally as 'Munro Thuruthu' and areas around it are witnessing the "evil results of global warming".

Balagopal accused the Central and Kerala governments of not initiating any special schemes to study and protect the people and their livelihood.

"As a special case this island should be given special care and schemes be initiated by the central government to study and resolve the issues," he wrote.

Supporting the Kerala MP, renowned climate expert and Deputy Director General of Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Chandra Bhushan said, "From Sundarbans to Lakshadweep, most of the islands in India are threatened by climate change, because of sea-level rise".

"Even building sea walls around the shrinking islands will not help...," said Bhushan, a well known negotiator in global climate conferences.

He asked people to start seriously thinking about taking adaptation measures to deal with the crisis.

"You have to start building sea-walls. But what is most important is for India to recognise that large number of these islands are going to go down if the world does not take action to reduce emissions quickly," he said.