The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is set to undertake an archaeological exploration to find out whether the Ram Setu is a natural or man-made phenomenon.
ABOUT RAM SETU :
(i) Ram Setu is a stretch of limestone shoals running from Pamban Island near Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu to the Mannar Island near the northern coast of Sri Lanka.
(ii) While there are geological theories on its natural formation, many Hindus believe it was built by the army of Lord Ram to go to Lanka to wage war with its king, Ravana.
(ii) While there are geological theories on its natural formation, many Hindus believe it was built by the army of Lord Ram to go to Lanka to wage war with its king, Ravana.
CONTROVERSY :
(a) The bridge between the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka has been at the centre of controversy since the Sethusamudram shipping canal project was planned, requiring dredging in the area.
(b) The plan for a Sethusamudram shipping canal project to cut travel time for ships— as they could not cross the shallow Ram Sethu otherwise — is hanging fire as both Hindu groups and environmentalists have opposed it.
(b) The plan for a Sethusamudram shipping canal project to cut travel time for ships— as they could not cross the shallow Ram Sethu otherwise — is hanging fire as both Hindu groups and environmentalists have opposed it.
Why Environmentalists are protesting the project?
1. Gulf of Mannar is the richest biosphere reserve in South Asia. It holds bountiful coastal and marine flora, and is also an inhabitation site for over hundred species of corals and endangered sea animals.
2. It is also argued that canal will raise the level of water table around it. This will directly affect the water used for irrigation purposes around the coast. So, not only the marine life but also the crop productivity will be hampered.
3. Coral reefs here are also called as ‘underwater tropical rainforest’. It is also praised for its pearl banks.
2. It is also argued that canal will raise the level of water table around it. This will directly affect the water used for irrigation purposes around the coast. So, not only the marine life but also the crop productivity will be hampered.
3. Coral reefs here are also called as ‘underwater tropical rainforest’. It is also praised for its pearl banks.
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