Nagercoil : An awareness cultural yatra in connection with the protection and conservation of sand dunes, organised recently by the Human Education and Action for Liberation Movement evoked good response.

Inaugurating the yatra, the Director of HEALM, Siluvai Vasthian, said that sand dunes were one of the prime protectors of the coastal ecosystem.

But unfortunately there was indiscriminate sand mining in the coastal areas of the district. The post-tsunami studies of different non-governmental organisations revealed many findings on the benefits of sand dunes to fishermen and coastal ecology, he said.

However, sand dunes were the vital component in the coastal environment and destruction of sand dunes would have adverse impact on the environment and ecology. The yatra passed through Melamanakudy, Keelamanakudy, Pallam, Annainagar, Kesavanputhenthurai and Periyakad and culminated at Rajakkamngalamthurai.