Severe sea erosion poses threat to Heritage Structure

The severe sea erosion at Tarangambadi in Nagapattinam district during recent months is posing a threat to the 400-year old Danish fort, a heritage structure at the seafront.
Tarangambadi has long been facing sea erosion. The erosion during the past few months has become severe and is now posing a threat to the 400-year old Dansborg fort here, an historian said.
The Dansborg fort was built in 1620 AD. The fort was renovated during 2002 by the Danish Tranquebar Association, a voluntary organization in Denmark with the cooperation of the Archaeological Survey of India.
"Until recently, the tides remained confined to about 100 m from the Eastern side rampart of the fort. Now, the waves have come as near as 10 m from the Eastern rampart and are constantly advancing due to erosion," said M.A Sultan, a historian at Tarangambadi.

"The southern rampart is also facing severe erosion. The Government should immediately initiate protection measures to safeguard the heritage structure," he said.
Meanwhile, traders, local people, fishermen, Muslim Jamath members and Hindu-Muslim-Christian Unity Association members of Tarangambadi have appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister seeking intervention to protect the monument.