The National Fish Workers’ Fourm (NFF) has taken exception to the Union government’s proposal to develop over 1,100 islands and 300 lighthouses along the Indian Coast to tap the tourism potential.
Before undertaking any such exercise, the government should hold extensive public consultation with all the communities across the coast, demanded forum vice-chairperson Vasudeva Boloor.
In a statement here, Mr. Vasudeva said Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari had recently revealed the Prime Minister’s desire to develop the islands and lighthouses across the coast. The government was also keen on converting 101 rivers into waterways by spending over Rs. 50,000 crore in the next two-three years.
Mr. Vasudeva said that on the face of it, the intention of the government looked lucrative and prestigious to develop the country’s economy. However, the livelihood of lakhs of fishermen along the Indian coast, who were entirely dependent on the shallow sea waters, was bound to get affected if the government’s proposal became a reality. He said that the country’s over 14,500-km long navigable and potentially navigable waterways were being used to more than 55 per cent extent. About 44 million tonnes of cargo was being moved annually through these waterways using mechanised vessels as well as country boats.
These activities, Mr. Vasudeva said, had already displaced traditional fishermen and damaged the marine ecology, as the mechanised vessels discharged oil and sewage into the sea. Extensive use of waterways had put different species of fish, amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles in danger.
Tourism activities along the coast and islands thus would damage the marine life and violate the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 besides violating the Coastal Regulatory Zone norms, Mr. Vasudeva claimed.
