The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Maoist shadow over tourism project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 09, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Maoist shadow over tourism project

By G. Nagaraja

MOLLAPARRU (WEST GODAVARI DT.), JAN. 8. The threat of CPI (Maoist) looms large over an ambitious beach resort project proposed by the State Government with private participation on the seashore near here.

The project is facing strong opposition from Maoists who are arguing that it will deny fisher folk access to the sea thereby raising livelihood concerns for the community.

Backed by the Maoists, the Andhra Pradesh Teera Pranta Matsya Karula Samakhya is spearheading a struggle against the project leading to skirmishes between the resort promoters and fisher folk from this habitation falling under Perbalem gram panchayat.

"If the tourism project is allowed to come up on the beach, over 1,000 fishermen will lose access to fishing in the sea, their main source of livelihood," D. Amar, secretary of the samakhya told The Hindu .

The project envisages development of a resort with a full-fledged amusement park consisting of state-of-the-art mechanical and water rides and boating and water sports facilities. Besides, 15 super deluxe and 10 deluxe cottages and two dormitories, restaurant, banquet hall, club house with indoor games facilities. The Department of Tourism proposes to develop it with 100 per cent investment by private agencies on build-operate-transfer basis.

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