Pil to grant Ram setu the national heritage tag

Subject: Environment

Context:

Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, had filed the petition, to grant Ram setu the national heritage tag in response against the Centre’s Sethusamudram Canal project, initiated when the UPA-1 was in power at the Centre.

What is Sethusamudram Canal project:

The project envisaged creation of a 83-km-long deep water channel, linking Mannar with Palk Strait, by dredging and removing the limestone shoals that formed part of the Ram Setu.
It would have reduced travel time between the eastern and western coasts of India as ships would no longer have to circle Sri Lanka to travel between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
The SC had stayed the work for the project in 2007.

What is Ram Setu:

It is also known as Adam’s Bridge.
It is a 48-km chain of limestone shoals between Rameswaram on India’s southeast coast and Mannar Island near Sri Lanka’s northwest coast.
The structure has significance in both Hindu and Muslim mythology
- Hindus believe this is the bridge which was built by Lord Ram and his army to cross to Lanka and fight Ravan.
- As per Islamic legend, Adam used this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka, where he stood on one foot for 1,000 years in repentance.
Scientists believe Ram Setu is a natural structure formed due to tectonic movements and sand getting trapped in corals.