The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Fishermen open to alternative jobs in Gulf of Mannar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 03, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Fishermen open to alternative jobs in Gulf of Mannar

By C. Jaishankar

RAMANATHAPURAM, APRIL 2. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, a nodal agency set up to safeguard the biodiversity of the region and improve the standard of living of fishermen along the coast, has started showing results.

The United Nations Development Programme's Global Environment Facility Fund (GEFF) initiated the project with the State and Central Governments and private organisations as stakeholders.

The total cost of the project was Rs. 140 crores, with the GEFF agreeing to contribute Rs. 40 crores. Scheduled to take off in 2002, it was delayed due to various problems including lack of manpower and proper guidelines, an opposition from local fishermen. Also there was delay in the sanctioning of funds.

Since the headquarters of the trust is situated in Ramanathapuram, forest officials showed reluctance to work there. Even those who joined duty faced resistance from the fishermen, who refused to allow them inside the villages fearing that their livelihood would be destroyed.

But the concerted action of the trust officers has started yielding results. A three-hour exclusive folk art programme staged in more than 50 villages helped in gaining the confidence of the fishermen. So far, micro-plans with details of population, sources of income, economy and literacy rate have been prepared in 55 fishermen villages.

"Now, I can see a perceptible change in the mindset of the fishermen. They have realised the importance of going for alternative jobs and preserving nature's gift. In fact, fishermen played a pivotal role in arresting people netting banned species and destroying coral reefs," says A. Ramkumar, Director, GOMBRT.

Infrastructure created

The GEFF has given Rs. 1.51 crores for the project. The infrastructure, including manpower and safeguard measures, has been created utilising the funds, said S. Ramasubramaniam, Eco-Development Officer.

The eco-development committees (EDCs) and anti-poaching camps have started functioning along the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. "Within one or two years, we can see a sea change in safeguarding the biodiversity and improving the economy of fishermen."

He said GOMBRT would give revolving fund to EDCs in creating alternative jobs such as tailoring, fish drying, toy making, marketing of fish products and value addition techniques.

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