Lok Sabha Question No. 3829 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Protection of Varkala Cliff in Kerala
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3829 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## PROTECTION OF VARKALA CLIFF IN KERALA

## 3829.         ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the iconic Varkala cliff in Kerala is under the threat of destruction, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the pilot study conducted by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) on cliff erosion in Varkala beach in Kerala has been completed;
- (c) if so, the findings thereof and the follow up action taken thereon;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  urgent  measures  for  protection  of  said cliff; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes. Geological aspects and anthropogenic factors have contributed to the instability of the Varkala Coastal Cliff.
- (b) to (c)   Yes. The pilot study on 'cliff erosion in Varkala Beach, Kerala' jointly carried outby National Centre for Earth Science  Studies  (NCESS),  Thiruvananthapuram  an autonomous  institute  under  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences,  andNational  Centre  for Coastal  Research  (NCCR),  Chennai,  an  attached  office  under  Ministry  of  Earth Sciences, as per the request of Vision Varkala Infrastructure Development Corporation  Ltd.  (VVIDC  Ltd.),  a  Government  ofKerala  undertaking  has  been completed in 2023.

NCESS hascompleted the study and submitted the report on Varkala Cliff Stability, entitled 'A Geoscientific Appraisal on the Stability of the Varkala Cliff' to Govt. of Kerala in October 2024. In this report the geological aspects and other factors that have contributed to the instability of the Varkala Coastal Cliff are discussed in detail along  with  the  recommendations  for  stabilising  and  preserving  the  cliff  face.  The main findings of the study are given below:

1. In  the  northern  sector  (Odayam  to  northern  edge  of  Papanasam  valley),  rock failure  and  slumping/sliding  are  most  common.  Unscientific  constructions  and anthropogenic interventions are severe.
2. The middle sector (Papanasam Valley) has experienced rapid widening due to unscientific human interventions in the last 3-4 decades.
3. In  the  southern  sector  (south  of  Papanasam  Valley  to  Aliyirakkam),  fissures, cracks, caving and piping are noticed. Regulatory measures are to be adopted to reduce the overburden  pressure on the cliff top including limiting hard permanent structures  within  50-100  m  buffer  zone.  All  unauthorised  activities that are detrimental to cliff stability (eg; sand mining/quarrying, construction of pathways, etc.) to be prohibited. Vehicular movements can be allowed only in the  50-100m  buffer  zone.  Appropriate  cliff  strengthening  measures  to  prevent caving at locations on the cliff face where groundwater seepages are observed to be  installed.  Coastal  regulatory  zonation  (CRZ)  regulations  are  to  be  strictly implemented.  Maintenance  and  management  of  the  cliff  and  its  aesthetics  for preserving it as a geological monument may be entrusted with a consortium of geoscientists, and civil engineers.
4. (d) to (e) NCESS  has  submitted  the  report  on  Varkala  Cliff  Stabilityto  Govt.  of  Kerala  in October 2024 with specific recommendations for stabilising and preserving the cliff face.

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