<p>The Arabian Sea, in and around Karwar, has receded 175 metres since 1932, leading to the creation of 150 hectares of land, according to a study.</p>.<p>Prakash Mesta, a scientist with the Kumta-based Centre for Ecological Sciences Field Station of the Indian Institute of Science, which conducted the study, told <span class="italic">DH</span> that this disturbing trend is posing a threat to marine life. The study on the condition of the shoreline attributed it to deposition of vast amounts of sand.</p>.<p>“Waves transport huge volumes of sand and fine particles over long distances and deposit them on beaches. It is a natural phenomenon in seas and oceans. This activity, however, has increased considerably in the recent years, creating vast tracts of land,” the marine biologist explained.</p>.<p>“Sea erosion on the Karnataka coastline has been rampant in recent years. In reality, sea erosion is natural and a real threat to the shoreline in Ullal, Honnavar and Kasargod. But in other parts, it is the sand deposited by the sea that was eroded,” Mesta said.</p>.<p>Mesta said the study was taken up using the topo sheets (topographic maps) created by the British in 1932. These were revised by the government of India in 1975.</p>.<p>After comparing the topo sheets with recent maps through a GPS device, it was found that the recession of the sea due to sand deposition and other factors has added 150 hectares of land on the Karwar coast, he explained.</p>.<p>Mesta said the receding sea would affect the marine food chain. “It would destroy the minute microorganisms thereby causing a shortage of food for marine life,” Mesta feared.</p>
<p>The Arabian Sea, in and around Karwar, has receded 175 metres since 1932, leading to the creation of 150 hectares of land, according to a study.</p>.<p>Prakash Mesta, a scientist with the Kumta-based Centre for Ecological Sciences Field Station of the Indian Institute of Science, which conducted the study, told <span class="italic">DH</span> that this disturbing trend is posing a threat to marine life. The study on the condition of the shoreline attributed it to deposition of vast amounts of sand.</p>.<p>“Waves transport huge volumes of sand and fine particles over long distances and deposit them on beaches. It is a natural phenomenon in seas and oceans. This activity, however, has increased considerably in the recent years, creating vast tracts of land,” the marine biologist explained.</p>.<p>“Sea erosion on the Karnataka coastline has been rampant in recent years. In reality, sea erosion is natural and a real threat to the shoreline in Ullal, Honnavar and Kasargod. But in other parts, it is the sand deposited by the sea that was eroded,” Mesta said.</p>.<p>Mesta said the study was taken up using the topo sheets (topographic maps) created by the British in 1932. These were revised by the government of India in 1975.</p>.<p>After comparing the topo sheets with recent maps through a GPS device, it was found that the recession of the sea due to sand deposition and other factors has added 150 hectares of land on the Karwar coast, he explained.</p>.<p>Mesta said the receding sea would affect the marine food chain. “It would destroy the minute microorganisms thereby causing a shortage of food for marine life,” Mesta feared.</p>