The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : `Amendments to CRZ will affect fisheries sector'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 07, 2007
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

`Amendments to CRZ will affect fisheries sector'

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Noted environmental activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar said here on Tuesday that the Union Government's move to implement the recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee on coastal zone management would prove disastrous for the fishermen community in the country.

She was inaugurating a dharna organised by the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilai Federation in front of the Accountant-General's office here as part of a nation-wide agitation by the National Fish Workers Forum. Ms. Patkar said the proposed reforms would undermine the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act of 1991, affecting the livelihood security of traditional fishermen. "Whose interests is the Centre trying to protect by extending the coastal management zone by 12 nautical miles?" she asked.

Tourist resorts

Ms. Patkar alleged that the reforms would make it easy to legitimise the operations of tourist resorts constructed in violation of the coastal regulation norms. She said the Swaminathan Committee report was designed to protect the interests of tourist, industrial and sand-mining lobbies.

SEZs

Ms. Patkar said the proposed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would have a detrimental effect on most coastal areas. She called for a coordinated resistance to the move to displace fisherfolk in the name of development. She also stressed the need to forge a united forum of fishermen and farmers to oppose the flawed development policies of the Union Government. Real concern for the environment is reflected in agitational movements, not in organising functions to pay lip service to conservation measures, she added.

Federation State president T. Peter, general secretary A. Andrews, NBA leader Devram Kanera and Plachimada Solidarity Committee leader Johnson were among those who addressed the dharna.

Earlier, federation workers took out a march to the AG's office.

The demonstration was led by Jensila Antony, Abdul Munaff, M.Alfonse, T.Ouseph and Everesta Jose.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section