It all depends on perspective. To us, the city’s beaches are open lungs. We walk there, enjoy the air, and wet our feet before returning refreshed. To fishermen, however, beaches are workplaces where they earn their living. To the Government, beaches often become testing grounds for new ideas. These ideas rarely consider long-term impact. The latest proposal—to allow weddings on beaches—is yet another such scheme. It raises concerns about how people will use and preserve these shared public spaces.
Government Plans for Weddings on Beaches
Recent reports say Tamil Nadu Tourism plans to allow weddings on beaches along the ECR. The fee is around Rs 10,000. This keeps it affordable. However, affordability is not the issue. The idea itself is flawed. In India, events create large amounts of waste. People rarely dispose of it properly. They leave trash behind. Nature then deals with it. Sun, rain, wind, and animals take over. Authorities must consider these consequences before allowing such events.
Noise and Disturbance on Beaches
Weddings also bring noise. Authorities may set sound rules, but people often ignore them. So noise levels rise quickly. Residents near beaches will suffer. Weddings also create other problems. Traffic increases. Roads get blocked. Stray animals gather near food waste. Drunken behaviour becomes common. Posters appear everywhere. Meanwhile, fragile ecosystems are ignored. Olive Ridley turtles nest on these beaches. Yet, such concerns rarely influence planning decisions.
Growing Pressure on Beaches
This proposal is only the latest in a series of pressures on our beaches. Earlier, memorials took up space, though they now remain somewhat contained. Then shops appeared in the name of public convenience. However, beaches were always open to all. People did not ask for these additions. Yet, once authorities allowed them, they became permanent. Today, these shops create ongoing problems. Courts often step in. Even then, the situation has become irreversible in many places.
The Blue Flag Divide on Beaches
Another example is the Blue Flag initiative. It divided what was once a single, clean beach. Now, one section requires payment and is maintained as clean. The other remains free but poorly managed. This creates an unnecessary divide. Who introduced this distinction? Meanwhile, infrastructure projects like the Loop Road continue. Fishermen initially protested these developments. Later, they adapted. Now, many operate seafood restaurants along the road, often without permits. This raises further questions about enforcement.
Protecting Beaches for the Future
The wedding proposal has already drawn protests from local residents. However, this issue goes beyond a single scheme. Beaches need consistent care and protection. They are not just venues for events or experiments. Instead, they are vital public spaces and ecological zones. Without proper oversight, these areas will continue to suffer. Therefore, authorities must think long-term. If not, our beaches will gradually lose their character and purpose.
This article appeared in Madras Musings-https://madrasmusings.com/vol-35-no-23/marring-our-beaches-with-marriages/
My book, Chennai, A Biography can be ordered–https://sriramv.com/2021/12/27/how-to-buy-autographed-copies-of-chennai-a-biography-from-outstation/20.ece
Excellent thought provoking article. Wish the concerned authorities in power get to read the article. But I feel with the existing Dravidian Model combined with the cultureless approach there is not even an IOTA of hope for anything good happening in the City. It can only deteriorate further with the existing attitude of the society.