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Sharing of fishing rights: CMM plans protest

BHUBANESWAR: Chilika Mastchhyajibee Mahasangha (CMM), an association of traditional fishermen living in and around Chilika Lake, threatened resorting to agitational path if the State government tried to table a bill that envisaged sharing of fishing rights in Chilika Lagoon.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, CMM President Mahadev Behera said despite several protests the State government had not rejected the Chilika Bill, which would have detrimental effect on traditional fishing community.

“Chilika Lagoon which has been known for its fishing resources is under control of prawn mafia. Crude form of fish farming by them has led to disappearance of several popular fish species. As a result traditional fishermen are steadily losing their livelihood,” Mr. Behera said.

The bill would further legalise their stake on the fishing resources of Chilika and ring the death bell for families who were depending on fish catching, he said.

“We have started to experience the impact. Thousands of fisherfolks are migrating to work as daily labourer. In two cyclones in 1999 and 2006, people have lost their houses and boats. The economy is yet to be resurrected,” he maintained.

CMM president the State government instead of providing fisherfolks basic infrastructure for fishing, was trying to alienate them from the traditional fishing rights. Leaders of fishing community also demanded land rights, basic education and medical facilities and comprehensive development plan for fisher families.

Due to relentless agitation by fisherfolks, the State government had sent the bill to cold storage earlier.

The bill would adversely affect fishermen living in 145 villages in and around Chilika Lake. CMM demanded that the government should refrain from tabling the bill, demarcate the boundary of Nalabana Sanctuary and weed out the gheries put up by non-fishermen.

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