ramasetu: protecting heritage and coastline (a ppt presentation, kalyanraman 31 march 2012)

8/2/2019 Ramasetu: Protecting heritage and coastline (A ppt presentation, Kalyanraman 31 March 2012)

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Protecting heritage and coastline

Declare

Rameshwaram sacred island, Gulf

of Mannar Marine BioreserveRamasetu as protected national

monuments under the AncientMonuments and ArchaeologicalSites and Remains Act, 1958

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Precedents Govt. of India has asked UNESCO

to declare Majjuli island on

Brahmaputra, Assam (worlds

largest river island), as a world

heritage. Celebrated by Saint-PoetSankaradeva

Punjab and Haryana HC order1993

( AIR 1993 P & H 2004 ). declaringBrahmasarovar, Haryana asnational monument. Sacredtirthasthana visited by Brahma

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Protect the worlds richestthroiumreserve

Kamini reactor in Kalpakkam uses thorium blanket in dual use,fast-breeder reactor

Thorium is the future nuclear fuel for Indias power generation

program and nuclear weapons for national defence

Manavalakuricci, Aluva, Chavarahold the worlds largestreserve of thorium sands. This is nations wealth. National

security demands safeguarding of this wealth.

Declare the sites as national protected areas under Armed

Foces control3/31/2012 3


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Protect Rama Setu:

for sustainable development

Valmiki ramayana, Sarga 21,Yuddhakandam

Describes Ramas victory over theocean; he releases the arrow which

makes a volcano erupt, resulting in atsunami.This episode is validated by the heatflow

and geotectonic maps of Bharatam inthe Rama Setu region.

S. Kalyanaraman, Ph.D.,Sarasvati Research Centre,Former Sr. Exec.,

Asian Development Bank,[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Thorium/titanium placer deposits dueto churning action of ocean currents,

with Rama Setu acting like a sieve orcyclotron

Thorium deposits in Kerala (Aluva, Chavara), Tamilnadu(Manavalakurichi) that support nuclear power source forIndia will be desiccated if Rama Setu is damaged. Ifanother tsunami strikes, the placer deposits will besubmerged in the ocean.


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Heavy mineral rich Inayam Teri SandDeposit, Kanyakumari district, Tamil

Nadu


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Importance of Thorium for Bharat

The currently known Indian thorium reserves(3.6 lakh tonnes) amount to 358,000 GWe-yrof electrical energy (Thorium reserves cangenerate 400,000 MW electricity per year for

the next 389 years).

Indias vast thorium deposits permit design andoperation of U-233 fuelled breeder reactors.(Th-232 + neutron yields Uranium 233)

These thorium-based breeder reactors areunder development and would serve as themainstay of the final thorium utilization stage

of the Indian nuclear programme.http://www.barc.ernet.in/webpages/about/anu1.htm


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Heavy mineral beachplacers(ilmenite, rutile, garnet

and monazite)

Kolachel toKanniyakumari on 75

km.

Vattakottai and Lipuram

to Manavalakurichi: 5 to6 km. With a width of 3to 5 m from the mouthof Valliyur River. (Data

base, GSI)


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Richest monazite concentration in theworld (32% of world thorium reserves)

The beach placers in Manavalakurichi,Aluva, Chavara, on an averagecontain 45 to 55% ilmenite, 7 to 14%garnet, 4 to 5% zircon, 3 to 4%

monazite, 2 to 3% sillimanite, 2 to 3%rutile, 0.5 to 1% leucoxene and 10 to25% others, including silica.

(Database 1984, GSI)


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1.US Navy operational directive, 23 June20052. Chairman TCPT replies to PMO 30June 20053. Inauguration of SSCP 2 July 2005.

Agreement between Sri Lanka (Sirimavo Bandaranaike) andIndia (Indira Gandhi) June 1974: declaration Gulf of Mannar

as Historic waters; United Nations Conference on the Law ofthe Sea (1958), Convention of the Territorial Sea andContiguous Zone recognizes HISTORIC Waters

This claim is not recognized by the United States.

U.S. conducted operational assertions in 1993 and 1994,1999 in Gulf(or tadi eduttavan tandal kaaran) treating theseas international waters.

Geopolitics:USA naval bases: Diego garcia, Trincomalee, Straits of Malacca

China naval bases: Gwadar, Haumtota, Sitwe


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Kodiyakkarai

Talaimannar

Pamban

Tirutturaipoondibeach (6000 years)

Manamelgudi

Devipattinam

Ramanathapuram

Uchchipuli

Thondi

shoreline(6000 years)


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A volcanic canyon west of Rama Setu, 1 m to 3000 m slope

Location map.Inset:bathymetry mapof the Gulf ofMannar

(reproducedfrom Murty etal., 1994)http://www.Setusamudram.in/htmdocs/Articles/cp_rajendran_2.htm
http://www.setusamudram.in/htmdocs/Articles/cp_rajendran_2.htmhttp://www.setusamudram.in/htmdocs/Articles/cp_rajendran_2.htmhttp://www.setusamudram.in/htmdocs/Articles/cp_rajendran_2.htmhttp://www.setusamudram.in/htmdocs/Articles/cp_rajendran_2.htm


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Canyon below the ocean?Question of stability ofany channel on this slope.

Abstract Two suites of slumps from oppositemargins of the Gulf of Mannar, between SriLanka and southern India, have met and

coalesced. The Eastern Comorin Slump is themore coherent of the two with a length of 70 to100 km. The Colombo side slump consists oftwo to four blocks 15 to 35 km in length. Bothslump-suites decrease to the south. A

paleoslump underlies the western toe of theEast Comorin Slump at a depth of some 800meters. To the south, an enlarging anddeepening submarine canyon marks the area ofslump coalescence.See William Vestal and Allen Lowrie, Geology and Geophysics Branch-Code7220, U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office NSTL Station, 39522, MS

http://www.springerlink.com /content/m602j3k746342lnl/
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m602j3k746342lnl/http://www.springerlink.com/content/m602j3k746342lnl/http://www.springerlink.com/content/m602j3k746342lnl/http://www.springerlink.com/content/m602j3k746342lnl/


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Ramashotspot

Heatflow inRama Setu100 to 180milliwatt per sq.m. comparable toHimalayan

hotsprings

Will dredging inthe area activate

these heat zones?.


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Tectonic setting:

Nature

magazine,6 Sept. 2007

Platesubduction

Sunda plate

Direction ofinferred fault-line sucking in

tsunami


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Mannar Volcanics 100 m. old: Rama Setuan ancient submarine canyon collapse

Destruction of


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Bore-hole locations on Rama Setu Destruction offragile coralislands bysediments

Likely reactivationof sub-seaheatflows

Alternatives: Pamban; like

Panama Canal,locks could beprovided both inthe Palk bay sideand Gulf ofMannar side so

that suchcalamities could beprevented.

Provide fortsunami-protection

walls


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Geological, archaeological evidence:Dept. of Earth Sciences (March 2007)

Around Rameswaram, there are raised Teriformations that supported a rich assemblage ofmesolithic microlithic tools indicating the

presence of strong human habitation andactivity in these areas as early as 8000 to 9000

years B.P and as recent as 4000 years B.P. OnSri Lanka side there are indications of humanhabitation extending to late Pleistocene (about13,000 B.P) based on bone and fossils ofhuman and animal form.

All these point to a flourishing human activityon both sides of Adams Bridge and probablywhen the sea levels were just right the linkbetween India and Sri Lanka could have been

established.


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Evidence fromISRO and

NASA websitesA news report date-lined Rameswaram, 15 April 2007 in the NewIndian Express (page 7) noted:"... Baalu said the governmentand the Sethusamudram project officials had written to NASAon the Adam's Bridge, but there has been no reply from NASA."ISRO image gives the answer ! Why ask NASA?

Item 1: February 2000 Report of NASA

http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/srilanka.htm Shuttle RadarTopography Mission (SRTM) of NASA aboard space shuttleEndeavour launched in February 2000. "Sri Lanka is shapedlike a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vastIndian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50km(31mi) wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form aland bridge between the two countries."

Item 2: April 1966 Report of NASA http://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htm Exploring space with a camera by NASA

"[193] Gemini XI. This photograph from an altitude of 410miles encompasses all of India, an area of 1250 000 squaremiles," GEORGE M. LOW, then the Deputy Director, MannedSpacecraft Center, NASA, notes. "Bombay is on the west coast,directly left of the spacecraft's can-shaped antenna New Delhiis just below the horizon near the upper left. Adam's Bridgebetween India and Ceylon , at the right, is clearly visible. Acloudless region surrounds the entire subcontinent. Differencesin color, green near the west coast, and brown inland, delineateregions of heavy vegetation and semiarid areas." The picture

by NASA is available on the NASA website.http://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpg
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/srilanka.htmhttp://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/srilanka.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpghttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section3b.htmhttp://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/srilanka.htm


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Tsunami effect: 2,60,000 lives lostDestruction of Aceh island, damage in beaches north of Chennai andNagapattinam

Sea-bed has risen by about 200 m. in some regions

2/3 of the aquatic life and corals devastated in the Biosphere Reserve/MarineNational Parks


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Seismic activity

Indian plate dynamically moves northwards @6cm. per year resulting in plate tectonics (e.gBhuj earthquake, Aceh quake).

The Indian Ocean in this region is riddled withearthquake fault-lines


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Tsuanmi of Dec. 26, 2004Result of plate tectonics in Sunda

plate

Build tsunami protection walls as part


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Build tsunami protection walls as partof any canal project: example, tsunami

wall in Japan. Strengthen Ramasetu


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Prof. Tad S. Murthys views Prof. Tad S Murthy is a tsunami expert who advised Govt. of India on

tsunami warning system and edited Tsunami journal for over 20 years

Prof. Tad S Murthys objections were cited in PMOs letter of Jan. 2005

He said:Change the mouth of the alignment (Bay of

Bengal) norwestwards to avoid destruction of Kerala bynext tsunami

"The Sethusamudram canal has many characteristics similar to the Albernicanal, and this is the reason I am concerned. In the March 28, 1964, Alaskaearthquake tsunami, outside of Alaska the largest tsunami amplitude was atthe head of the Alberni canal well inland and not at the open coast aseveryone expected. Later, I explained this was due to (a phenomenonknown as) quarter wave resonance

http://www.elaw.in/issue/sethu.htm

Rama Setu: ancient monument of international
http://www.elaw.in/issue/sethu.htmhttp://mail.google.com/mail/?realattid=f_eywidjrs&attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=11120b4c79f17b1ehttp://www.elaw.in/issue/sethu.htm


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Rama Setu: ancient monument of internationalimportance, whether man-made or natural; even astone or a cave or a river is a monument under the1958 Act.

From Setu to Himachalam defines the sovereignBharatam according to the Suvey of India logosince 1767.

Suggestio falsi, suppressio veri: Ambika Soni

New Delhi, Mar 06, 2007: Government on Tuesday said there areno archaeological studies that reveal the existence of a Ram Setubridge between India and Sri Lanka. However, a NASA satellitepicture has shown the existence of a stretch of land bridge in thePalk Strait between the countries, Minister of Tourism andCulture Ambika Soni said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabhatoday. She informed the house that as there are noarchaeological studies to confirm the fact, the government wasnot planning to take any preservation initiative in this direction.http://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=358346&sid=NAT
http://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=358346&sid=NAThttp://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=358346&sid=NAThttp://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=358346&sid=NAT


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Govt. has no plans to declare Ram Setu as nationalmonument

15:38 IST Tuesday, August 14, 2007Minister for Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika SoniIn a written reply in the Rajya Sabha said, no

archaeological study has been made in respect ofRam Setu by the Archaeological Survey of India

As per the scientific evidence available so far, RamSetu does not fulfill the criteria to be declared as a

monument of national importance under theprovisions of the Ancient Monuments andArchaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=29871

M l b B (1 4 ) d b
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=29871http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=29871http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=29871http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=29871


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Malabar Bowen map (1747) drawn byNetherlands shows Ramarcoil I (that is,

Rama temple).

M d b J h P k A t li


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Map drawn by Joseph Parks, AustralianBotanical explorer (1788) shows RamarBridge (Map in Sarasvati Mahal Lib.,

Thanjavur), the map Honble TR Baalu saw !

Map of 1804, byJames Rennel,First Surveyor

General ofIndia,renamedRamar Bridgeas Adamsbridge


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Kamba ramayanam in Tamil has a separate sarga called Setubandhapadalam. Sethu is the waterbody in which SriRama purifiedhimself from Brammahatti dosha on his return from Lanka afterkilling Ravana. It is located in the sea in Rameshwaram area near

sethubandhanam. Rameswaram is called: SetubandhaRameswaram. South Asia in the time of the Khaljis and Tughluqs, c.1290-1390

Tulasidas:

Ramacharitamanas


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Setu, Setubandha RameswaramHampi inscription of Krishnadevaraya Saka 1430(1508 CE) in Epigraphica Indica refers to Rama Setu

R li i d l l i 8 h 12 h


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Religious and cultural sites, 8th-12thcenturieshttp://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=071Schwartzberg Atlas, p. 34.

I l i i d h i W t i f S th
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=071http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=071


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Islamic expansion and changing Western views of South

Asia, 7th-12th centuries(Al-Birunis record)

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=070 Schwartzberg Atlas, v. , p. 33.
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=070http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=070


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Puranic India (Bharata)http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=064 Schwartzberg Atlas, v. ,

p. 27.
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=064http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=064http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=064


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(

Madras Presidency Administration Report, 1903 and aTravelogue, 1744 refer to the bridge

Glossary entry: Adam. Called the bridge of Rama Itreally joined Ceylon to India until 1480, when a breachwas made through rocks during a storm. A subsequentstorm enlarged this and foot traffic then ceasedPartlyabove and partly below water; but when covered hasnow here above three or four feet of water

Source: Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency./C.D. Maclean (1903). New Delhi, AES, 3 Vols., 2440 p., Contents:Vol. 1: Chapters 1-9Containing: The Principal Articles of the Manual Arranged so as to Conform to the Order of Subjects in the Yearly Presidency Administration Report. Vol. 2:

Appendices Containing: Articles and Statements, Supplementary of the Articles in Vol. 1 Arranged Under General Heads. Vol. 3: Glossary of the Madras Presidency: AClassification of Terminology, a Gazetteer and Economic Dictionary of the Province and Other Information, the Whole Arranged Alphabetically and Indexed.

Travelogue

A book by Alexander Hamilton, 1744, A New Account ofthe East Indies: Giving an Exact and CopiousDescription of the Situation, P. 338 describes his visitto zeloan(alt. spelling for Ceylon) by walking onthe bridge.


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Research report

Asiatic Society, 1799,

Asiatick Researches: Or,Transactions of theSociety Instituted inBengal, P. 52refers to

the bridge called Setband(alt. spelling, setubandlike Allahband; setu-bandha), broken in 3

places. It also notesThepeople call it a bridge; orotherwise it appears tohave wood growing on it,

and to be inhabited.

H bl M K idhi i id f R
http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800http://books.google.com/books?vid=031f0nrIjYAWckX02l&id=UJ8BAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=india+ceylon+bridge+date:0-1800


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Honble Mu. Karunanidhi cites evidence for RamaSetu, there is also evidence from Sangamliterature

In a book titled, RamanathapuramDistrict Gazetteer published in

1972, Mu. Karunanidhi, the thenChief Minister writes a forewordand praises the contents

The book refers to Rama Setu(also called Adams bridge or NalaSetu).

t i ll bh ti l d b d


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setu in allbharatiya languages means man-made bund

English word bund comes from Bharatiya word: bandha Valmiki describes the construction of Sethu in detai (85 shlokas).hastimaatraan mahaakaayaaH paaSaaNaamshca mahaabalaaH

parvataamshca samutpaaTya yantraiH parivahanti ca ValmikiRamayana 2-22-58Vaanara having huge bodies, with mighty strength uprooted elephant-sized rocks and mountains and transported them by mechanicalcontrivances (yantraih).

Vedavyasa refers to Nalasetu

nalasetur iti khyto yo 'dypi prathito bhuvi rmasyj purasktyadhryate girisanibha MBh. 3.267.45

.... which even today, popular on earth as Nala's bridge, mountain-like, issustained out of respect for [Lord] Rama's command. (Nala was son ofViswakarma) Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa (sarga 13): Rama, while returningfrom SriLanka in pushpaka vimaana: "Behold, Sita, My Sethu ofmountains dividing this frothy ocean is like the milky way dividing the skyinto two parts"

Kaavya in Prakrit by Setubandha Kavya by the King Damodara Sen (5thCentury).

King Pravarasena II (550-600 CE) called Setu bandha or Ravanavaho,Dasamuha Vadha"


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Evidence from Sangam literature1.kadunter iraaman udanpun.ar seetaiyaivalittakai arakkan vavviya

jnaanr-ainilamcer madaran.i kan.d.a kurangincemmukap perunkil.aiizhaippolindaa anguaar-aa a varunakai yinidu per-r-ikume (Pur-anaanoor-u paadal 378)When Arakkan Ravana abducted Sita who came with Rama, theornaments removed from her body and thrown by her to theground, the monkey families adorned themselves erratically withthese ornaments. People enjoyed seeing this sight.

2.venve_r- kavuniyar tonmudu ko_d.imuzhangirum pauvam iranku muntur-aivelpo_r iraaman arumar-aikku avittapal veezh aalampo_lao_viyavintanr-aal iv azhunkaloore (Akanaanoor-u paadal 70)

Before Sri Rama embarked upon his journey to Sri Lanka, he satbelow a big banyan tree on the banks of the sacred Setu(tiruvan.aikkarai) and was engrossed in conversation with hisfriends. The birds on the banyan tree were chirping. Sri Ramastopped the chirping by his command.

Ancient Setu (Aryachakravarti) coins


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Ancient Setu (Aryachakravarti) coinsof Jaffna, 13thcentury and Parantaka

Chola copper plate (10th

cent.)

(Nagaswamy R. 1979. Thiruttani and VelanjeriCopper Plates. State Dept. Of Archaeology,Tamilnadu. Madras. See: LHernault F. 1978.LIconographie de Subrahmanya au Tamilnad,Institut Francais d Indologie. Pondichery, p.111,

ph. 63.) The copper plates indicate thatAparajitavarman went to Setutirtha.

Setupati coinage,16th and 17th centuryObverse: SriGanapati,

seated.Reverse, inTamil, Se-Tu-Pa-(Timissing). Tamilscript.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Setu_I_Obv.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Setu_I_Rev.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coin_Setu_Bull_Rev_a.jpg


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Prambananan (Brahmavana),

Indonesia

R S t i l t (9th d


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Rama Setu in sculptures (9th and10th centuries CE)

Stone steles from the Ramayana wallcarvings at Prambanan Temple, Java,Indonesia (built during the ninth and tenthcenturies Common Era). Classical Javanesedance performances of the Ramayana areheld seasonally at Prambanan temple. A

2006 earthquake in Central Java, however,caused considerable damage to the WorldHeritage Site.

Devi Sita talking to Sri Hanuman Vaanara Sena carrying stones, in their arms

and on their heads, to build Rama Setu,

followed by Sri Rama, carrying a sword. Fish and other sea creatures handling stones

from Rama's bridge to Lanka, during theconstruction of Nala Setu (Rama Setu).

Source:http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2616

Kil kk i d h l d kh l l
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2616http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2616


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Kilakkarai and other places producesankha, a culturalsymbol venerated in Bharatiya traditions (West BengalDev. Corpn. In Kilakarai has an annual turnover of Rs.

100 crores to procuresankha from Rama Setu coastalzone)


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Only Bharatam coastline producessankha (turbinella pyrum)

Sankha is


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4646

S ankha isunique toBharatam

coastline, notfound anywhereelse in the world

Date of thewomans burialwith ornaments6500 Years

Before CommonEra.

Wide shell-bangle

and shell ornaments

8,500 year-old Sankha industry, Gulf of Mannar


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Seven shell bangles from burial ofan elderly woman, Harappa; wornon the left arm; three on theupper arm and four on the

forearm; 6.3 X 5.7 cm to 8x9 cmmarine shell, Turbinella pyrum(After Fig. 7.43, Kenoyer, 1998) Harappa museum. H87-635 to 637; 676 to 679.

Sankha industry thrives inKilakkarai (Rs. 100 crore annualturnover); sankha kr.saana(Sankha cutter) mentioned in

Rigveda, Atharvaveda

Wide bangle made from a singleconch shell and carved with achevron motif, Harappa; marine

shell, Turbinella pyrum(After Fig. 7.44,Kenoyer, 1998) National Museum, Karachi. 54.3554. HM13828.

, y y,

I h li lih d f l


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Impact on the livelihood of coastalpeople

U. Arulanandam, President,

Singaravelar Fishermen'sForum : the project is being

implemented to enforce theinternational boundary line inthe waters.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114005902400.htm
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114005902400.htmhttp://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114005902400.htm


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Save marine wealth:

Vegetarian sea-cow, green turtleThe only place in theworld where dugonglives.

Dugong is a sea-cowwhich eats onlysea-grass.

There are over 3,600

unique aquaticspecies in the Gulfof MannarBioreserve nationalparks.


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Setu tirtham

Setubandha venerated as sacred tirthaby Alwars and Nayanmars

Rameswaram is one of the 12jyotirlinga sthalams.

Pilgrimage to Ganga (Kasiviswanatha)is complete only after the pilgrimage

to Rameswaram and Setutirtham.


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Traditions

Setutirtha snaanam as sacred. Mahatittha in Sri Lanka.Setutirham for mothers desirous of childrenNo ploughs are used in Ramanathapuramdistrict : peoples belief that the earth

is sacred since Sri Rama made threesivalinga using this earth

Any fisherman extracting stone together with algae doesprayascittam Skanda Purana (III.1.2.1-114), Vishnu Purana (IV.4.40-49), Agni

Purana (V-XI), Brahma Purana (138.1-40) refer to theconstruction of Rama Setu. Skanda Purana (VI.101.1-44)describes the installation of three Shiva linga at the end, middleand beginning of Rama Setu andmaking the same bridge

submerged and thereby creating Setu-Teertham. This is alsorelated in Kurma Purana (21.10-61). Garuda Purana (1.81.1-22)lists sacred places including Setubandh and Rameswar. NaradaPurana (Uttara Bhag 76.1-20) extols the greatness of Rama-Setu.

Rama Setu: destruction status


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Rama Setu: destruction status10 Oct. 2007 46.07% (Palkbay/Palkstrait)17 Sept. 2007 24.76% (Rama Setu/Adams Bridge)

Project location


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j


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Locus of Rama Setu in relation to the coastlinehttp://sethusamudram.gov.in

Sir AR Mudaliar Committee Report 1956:
http://sethusamudram.gov.in/http://sethusamudram.gov.in/


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pChoose canal, NOT mid-ocean channel passage

Reasons:

Shifting SandbanksNo possibility of construction of protectiveworks definite navigational hazard

Channel would border on theSethusamudram Medial Line.

In these circumstances we have no doubt,whatever that the junction between the two seashould be effected by a Canal; and the idea ofcutting a passage in the sea through Adams

Bridge should be abandoned.

Nightmare ship salvage operation if


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Nightmare ship salvage operation ifSetusamudram is aligned as a mid-

ocean channel passageSuez canal uses

special bollardsevery 200 ft. tosalvage agrounded vessel

Such bollards are

possible only if aland-basedcanal is used.

Project does NOT make


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Project does NOT makenautical sense

According to Capt. Balakrishnan, the savingin time from Kolkata to Tuthukudi(Tuticorin) for a ship will be only 1.5 hrs.

Crossing channel at 6 nautical miles payingpilotage charges (approx. Rs. 5 lakhs perpassage)?

Even many small ships with only 30,000Dead Weight Tonnes may prefer tonavigate around Srilanka instead of usingthe channel.


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Eminent Jurists views

Justice VR Krishna Iyers letter to PM: I beseech you toreconsider the stand taken if any already. This is amatter of political party business or popularity or pro-

American yenthe grave issue with which the nationshall defend its survival.

Justice KT Thomas: It is our duty to make in-depth studyof all possible repercussions before destroy the

natural geological formations. That apart, the religioussentiments of the majority community in India thatLord Rama created such sea wall must he honoredand respected.

Court Orders


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Court Orders Evidence for Rama Setu accepted. Courts use the word Rama Setu

Violation of Section 295 of IPC (AIR 1958 SC 1032 Veerapathra ChettiarVs. Ramaswamy Naicker)

Section 295: with the intention of hereby insulting the religion of anyclass of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likelyto consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to thereligion.

HC noted: Sir A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar Committee expressly rejectedthe idea of cutting a channel through the bridge and said that the ideashould be abandoned.

Punjab and Haryana High Court held that Brahmasarovar was deemedto be a monument

Ramanathapuram judge: Final opinion could be pronounced only aftersubjecting their documents to thorough scrutiny with the opinions ofexperts in the field (archaeology and geology)

SC order: Till September 14, the alleged Rama Sethu/Adams bridge

shall not be damaged in any manner. Dredging activity may be carriedout so long as it does not damage Rama Sethu.

Rama Setu -- world heritage


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a a Setu o d e tage

Many monuments have been declared as World HeritageSites by UNESCO:

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of MarineProtection in Panama Tubbataha ReefMarine Park in the PhilippinesKvarken Archipelago / High Coast in Sweden/Finland

Giant's causeway and Causeway coast in UKGreat Barrier Reef in AustraliaBelize Barrier Reef Reserve System in BelizeMont St. Michel and its bay in FranceHa Long Bay in Vietnam

Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe

US court backs Indian tribe (Navajo) to preventdesiccation of a sacred mountain in USA

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.html http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

Why save Rama Setu ? Sacred
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070312-1046-environment-navajos.htmlhttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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y sa e a a Setu Sac edecology, sacred heritage

To remember Sri Rama. The only survivingmonument related to Sri Rama who walkedfrom Ayodhya to Srilanka to protect dharma

This social, cultural memory is sacred

Sri Rama vigrahavaan dharmah (the veryembodiment of dharma)

Sri Rama is the role model for bharatiya valuesbased on dharma and for integrity of the nation
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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Sri Rama and sankha naadam

Vishnus fightwith theRakshasas led byMalyavaan, Maaliand Sumaali asnarrated in theUttarkanda of the

Ramayana(Canto VI-VIII)ATerracotta Panel from Bhitargaon Showing a

Ramayana Scene By P. Banerjeehttp://ignca.nic.in/pb0020.htm

Sustainable development alternatives
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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Sustainable development alternatives

Economic alternative

Declare Special Marine Economic zones, promote Marinecooperatives to enhance livelihood opportunities for coastalpeople

\Heritage and eco-ourism

Heritage tourism development by delcaring Rameswaram andRama Setu as divya-kshetram

Building Marine museum in Gulf of Mannar

Transport system alternatives:

railwayline between Thutukudi and Villupuram (near Chennai)

Pipelines connecting west coast and east coast for distribution

of oil and gas
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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Heritage tourism Tamilnadu Government website says Rama

Setu and Rameshwaram are divyakshetram(like Tirumala) with reference to floating

stones used to build the bridge (Setu). The stone said to have used to construct the

floating bridge Sethu Bandanam could be

seen here
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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Ramesvaram holy, jyotirlinga

The Holy abode of the Hindu God, Shri Ram(addressed so with all respect & humility) is a virtualparadise for the devout. No Hindus journey is

complete without a pilgrimage to both Varanasi andRameswaram for the culmination of his quest forsalvation and is hallowed by the epic Ramayana.

Folklore mentions about God Rams presence in this

land, after his 14-year exile. (Ramnad, govt. website)
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653


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Om
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.softfonts.com/sanskrit/om_symbol.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.softfonts.com/sanskrit/om_symbol.html&h=392&w=392&sz=42&tbnid=a_IsyVlh3BfBTM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dom%2Bsymbol%26um%3D1&start=1&ei=VMd9RqznKKTksAKyjO2kAQ&sig2=a0WkKQTNaofI1eRGlhOI1A&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=1


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Om Rama Setu is divya-kshetram

It is our sacred duty, dharma to protectthis tirthasthaanam

Let pranava, omkaara, anaahata

naadam emanating from sacred sankhareverberate around the world

Let us save the ecosphere, nations

wealth, uphold nations sovereignty Security of nation cannot be

compromised or privatised.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.softfonts.com/sanskrit/om_symbol.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.softfonts.com/sanskrit/om_symbol.html&h=392&w=392&sz=42&tbnid=a_IsyVlh3BfBTM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dom%2Bsymbol%26um%3D1&start=1&ei=VMd9RqznKKTksAKyjO2kAQ&sig2=a0WkKQTNaofI1eRGlhOI1A&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=1

ramasetu: protecting heritage and coastline (a ppt presentation, kalyanraman 31 march 2012)

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