Boulders will soon be placed at the seashore along Sasihithlu to check sea erosion, assured Moodbidri MLA K Abhaychandra Jain.
Speaking at a programme organised to provide facilities to the members of Grama Aranya Samiti, Sasihithlu, organised under the aegis of Karnataka Forest Department, Mangalore unit and Grama Aranya Samiti at DK Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School, Sasihithlu, on Tuesday, he said he has discussed the issue with District in-Charge Minister and Deputy Commissioner and necessary steps will be taken. The package of assistance is being provided by the Central government to help the people living along the sea shore who are affected by sea erosion, the MLA added.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Vijaykumar said, the Central government has commenced the mangrove conservation scheme (Kandla Vana Samrakshana Yojna) to reduce sea erosion along the coastline. There are many benefits of the mangrove forest, which people must be aware of. The soil in the mangrove forest is very fertile and is a breeding ground for numerous species of fish. It is also the home for many birds and provides shelter for animals also.
Enumerating the need to conserve mangrove forests, he said the roots of these bushes are strong enough to arrest sea erosion, even more effectively than placing boulders. It stops strong winds that cause damage to settlements and if there was sufficient cover of the forest, the severe damage caused by tsunami could have been reduced to a great extent, he pointed out. However, without knowing the importance of the mangrove forest, it is being recklessly cut down, he lamented.
Five groups of fishermen were provided with fishing nets costing Rs 20,000 each out of the Rs 1 lakh assistance and eight self-help groups were distributed coupons of Rs 20,000 through the Forest Department on the occasion. Moreover, 101 members out of 1,301 members of the Grama Aranya Samiti of Sasihithlu were distributed pressure cookers. 
Mangalore Zone Conservator of Forest T V Mohandas, Assistant Conservator of Forest A S Abbas, Mangalore Zonal Forest Officer K Chandrashekhar, Grama Aranya Samiti, Sasihithlu President Shashikala K, Mangalore Taluk Panchayat President Ranganath Shetty, Zilla Panchayat member Pramod Kumar, Taluk Panchayat member Vinod Kumar and Haleangadi Gram Panchayat President H Vasanth Bernard were present.