Fisherfolk & dogs — the only signs of life at Thiruvananthapuram’s once-crowded beaches

Beaches in Thiruvananthapuram have not been opened to the public since the lockdown, and police teams stand guard all day to keep people away.

Kovalam beach stands empty, except for a few dogs frolicking about | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Thiruvananthapuram: Sea beaches in Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram have not been opened to the public yet, since being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic nearly seven months ago. The beaches are likely to open from 1 November, but for now, patrolling teams of the police stand guard all day to keep people away.

Kerala currently has more than 90,000 active cases, with Thiruvananthapuram recording 797 new cases Sunday.

ThePrint’s National Photo Editor Praveen Jain took a walk along the Shankumugham and Kovalam beaches, and here’s what he saw.

Locals who come to the Kovalam beach are chased away by the police | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

The once-busy hotels and shops near Kovalam beach are now either shut or have a handful of customers | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Workers fixing a light near Kovalam beach | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Shopkeepers near Shankumugham beach too have few customers compared to pre-Covid times | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Stray dogs playing in the water at Kovalam beach | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Only fishermen are allowed at beaches. This group is setting out from Kovalam beach | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Fishermen in their boats off Kovalam beach | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Fishermen at Kovalam beach carry a fishing net out to sea | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Several fish sellers at Shankumugham beach said business is nowhere near ‘normal’ | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint