Kerala‘s coastal areas are likely to witness an increasing trend of sea surge in the coming years, warned marine experts on Saturday. The prime cause behind this surge is expected to be the rise in sea surface temperature owing to the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean waters, reported PTI.

The experts were addressing a webinar organised by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on the occasion of World Environment Day. 

According to the CMFRI press release, experts raised concerns over the calamities faced by the coastal community lately due to high waves and sea erosion, cyclone Tauktae and Yaas being the case in point. 

The webinar also discussed ways for restoration of coastal vegetation laying emphasis on mangrove forestation as it acts as a bio-cover to belt and facilitates protection in the region as well as for the coastal population.

“Conservation of coastal biodiversity, which is in deterioration owing to many reasons including constructions, is the best long-term natural option for protecting the lives of coastal people from sea turbulence,” noted CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan.

The panel of leading experts, which included Dr R Ramasubramanian, Director of Coastal Systems Research Programme at M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, and Dr Grinson George, Senior Programme Specialist at the SAARC among others, suggested awareness programmes among different stakeholders to build a bio-green belt along the coast aimed at protecting the residents in the area.