Environment: The Filao, a Cultural Barrier that Sparks Debate

Iconic to the coastline, the filao trees, which provide a backdrop for our moments of relaxation and celebration at the beach, are also subjects of debate. The discussion revolves around the balance of coastal ecosystems.

Vassen Kauppaymuthoo, an environmental engineer and oceanographer, explains that the filao (Casuarina equisetifolia) were introduced along the coast in the 1970s to protect the beaches. "At that time, they served as windbreaks," he states. Sunil Dowarkasing, a consultant in...