Declare Ramsetu as national heritage; abandon the Project

-Anil Narendra

Setu Samudram Project is once again in the headlines. This matter came before the Supreme Court on Monday. The Central Government informed the apex Court that no other alternative route excepting mythological Ramsetu is financially and ecologically practical for the Setu Samudram Project. Solicitor General, however, informed the Bench of Justice HL Dattu and Justice CK Prasad that the Central Cabinet has not taken any decision on the recommendations of the Committee headed by the renowned Environmentalist, RK Pachauri so far. The Bench has allowed eight weeks' time to the Government to submit report on the developments related to the Project. Nariman said that Pachauri Committee discussed the issue of alternative route, but it came to the conclusion that it was not financially and ecologically not practical. The implementation of the project could lead to the destruction of the mythological Ramsetu. According to the Setu Samudram Project, construction of a 30 metre wide, 12 metre deep and 167 kms long navigational channel is proposed. Ramsetu is not an environmental or commercial issue, but it is a question of belief and values. For thousands of years, it had been the faith of millions of Indians, especially Hindus that this bridge was built by Shri Rama with the help of monkey force to attack the Lankan King, Ravana. It is an emotional matter and faith of every Hindu is linked to this Ramsetu. This national heritage cannot be destroyed for commercial benefits. As far as environment is concerned, environmentalists accept that the Gulf of Mannar is biologically the richest coastal area, where more than 36 thousands species of plants and animals are found. The destruction of Ramsetu would lead to devastation of Kerala State and thousands of fishermen would be rendered jobless. Then, it would devoid us of annual revenue of crores of rupees that is receied from rare conches and shells found in this area. India has the biggest reserve of thorium, the best alternative of uranium in the world and if the Ramsetu is destroyed, we would have to give up this valuable reserve. The Director General of Coast Guards, RF Contractor believes that by dismantling the Ramsetu structure, country's security could also be endangered. On the other hand, religious Hindus consider this bridge with reverence and faith. They believe that this structure is the bridge mentioned in the Ramayana that was built under the guidance of engineers of monkey force of Lord Rama, Nala and Neela for assault on Lanka. Rejecting the report of Pachauri Committee, former Chairman of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Ashoka Singhal has termed it as full of prejudice. There are a number of ancient heritage of different countries like Wall of China, Statue of Liberty, Buckingham Palace, Eiffel Tower, London Bridge etc., but there have never been a demand to destroy these ancient heritage in the name of development. If Metro rail route can be diverted to save Kutub Minar, factories around Taj Mahal could be forced to close down to keep its beauty intact, crores of rupees could be spent in the maintenance of ancient artifacts kept in various museums, then why the Government wants to spend crores of rupees to destroy this national heritage? To whom the Central Government wants to benefit and why, is a question in itself. DMK leaders are pressurizing the Government to undertake this project. They want to make it means of huge income. We hope, the UPA Government would respect the faith of millions of Hindus and categorically state before the Supreme Court that the Ramsetu project is being abandoned as it is being declared a national heritage. It is, however, the bridge built by Lord Rama, it is not going to be dismantled that easily.