Kerala’s communist government urged to tackle climate change amid Chellanam coastal crisis | Kochi News

Kochi: The Government of Keralaled by communists and prime minister Pinarayi Vijayanhas a duty to proactively respond to the struggles of coastal residents Chellanam to protect the coast, said renowned writer Meena Kandasamy. Global warming and climate change are primarily the creations of capitalist exploitation, and it is the responsibility of the communists to intervene, she added.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 24-hour hunger strike organized by the Chellanam Kochi People’s Forum in Thoppumpady, Kandasamy demanded a solution to the problem of sea erosion on Friday.
The problem of sea intrusion at Chellanam has historical causes and must be addressed accordingly, Kandasamy pointed out. “The forum’s contention that the main reason for the Chellanam issue is dredging of the navigation channel of Cochin port cannot be denied,” she said. Therefore the Cochin Port should be ready to solve the problem and the state government should intervene to make the port supply the land for the reconstruction of the coast, she demanded.
The Cochin Port has a duty to financially support the state’s coastal protection measures, she added.
“In light of studies indicating that a significant portion of Kochi’s land could be submerged in the coming years, the government must take the issue of marine encroachment seriously and intervene,” she said. Kandasamy urged the climate change department under the Kerala government to take the lead on the issue. She criticized the central government’s denial of funds for this purpose as contrary to federal principles.
The opening session of the hunger strike was chaired by forum official VT Sebastian. The closing session on Saturday will be inaugurated by Vizhinjam protest leader Father Eugene Pereira.