Kundapura: Judicial custody of accused journalist extended
Udupi, Dec 17: A local court on Monday extended the judicial custody of journalist Chandra K Hemmadi(40) of Kundapura, who was arrested under POCSO Act on charges of sexually harassing the school boys, for 14 days.
Following the transfer of principal district and sessions court judge and the leave of Kundapura additional district court judge, the accused was produced before the additional civil judge and additional chief judicial magistrate court.
The judicial custody of the accused in the first case under POCSO Act in Byndoor police station was ended on Monday. In view of this, Byndoor police produced the accused before the court who is jailed in Hiriyadka district jail,.
After hearing the case, judge VS Pandith extended the judicial custody of the accused till December 31. District special public prosecutor Vijaya Vasu Poojary was present on the occasion. But no advocate appeared for the accused.
‘Total 21 cases were registered against one accused under the POCSO Act, which is first in the history of the state and he would appeal the court to take the trial shortly’, said Vijaya Vasu Poojary.
Body warrant in 20 cases
The accused is under judicial custody for one case registered at Byndoor police station. But on Monday, public prosecutor, on behalf of the investigating officer, filed an appeal before the court for body warrant in remaining 20 cases. Accepting the appeal, the court has extended his judicial custody till December 31.
Accused Chandra Hemmadi is facing 16 cases in Byndoor police station, three cases in Gangolli and one each in Kundapura rural and Kollur police stations under the POCSO Act and Byndoor circle inspector is the investigating officer for all the cases.
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Bengaluru: A recent study commissioned by the Karnataka government has revealed that 28% of the state's 328.55-km coastline is experiencing high levels of erosion. The report, submitted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management to the Environment Department, shows that the length of eroding stretches has more than doubled, from 43.7 km in 1990 to 91.6 km in 2024.
Titled Shoreline Management Plan Along Karnataka Coast, the report highlights the impact of increased sediment barriers and upstream activities on coastal erosion. It also calls for the adoption of nature-based solutions to counter the effects of climate change and human activities.
District-wise findings
The coastline of Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada spans 328.55 km, with varying levels of erosion across the districts:
Uttara Kannada: Although 28% of its 193-km coastline is eroded, the district accounts for 39% of the state’s total erosion due to increased coastal development.
Udupi: Despite 43% of the coastline being protected by seawalls, 38% remains affected by erosion, contributing to 32% of Karnataka's overall erosion.
Dakshina Kannada: The district’s 37-km coastline faces “critical” erosion, with 39% of its stretches severely impacted, including areas such as Uchil and Batapady.
The report warns that coastal erosion threatens habitations, estuarine environments, mangroves, mudflats, and fish landing areas.
Recommendations
Identifying 44 critical erosion zones, the report suggests:
1. Beach nourishment through sand replenishment.
2. Rehabilitation of sand dunes and bioshields.
3. Mangrove afforestation to stabilise coastlines and support fisheries.
The findings will inform the Karnataka-Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE) project, which prioritises nature-based solutions over hard approaches like seawalls. R Gokul, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, stated that the Rs 840-crore project will focus on mangrove planting, beach nourishment, and tackling plastic pollution. These measures aim to protect the coastline and boost the blue economy.
The report will also guide the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority in reviewing coastal development proposals.
