[Reader-list] CZM: THE RESULT OF STRUGGLE IN KERALA.

[T Peter]

CRZ Notification- Withdrawal to Benifit Whom? visit: http://www.alakal.net

To
    Shri. Namo Narain Meena,
    The Minister of State in the Ministry of
    Environment and forests,
    Government of India,
    New Delhi.

Dear Shri. Namo Narain Meena,

I came to know that Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Committee appointed to review
the CRZ Notification 1991 has already submitted its report. Based on the
recommendations of Swaminathan Committee the Ministry of Environment and
Forest has issued draft notification on the Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
inviting suggestions and objections from State Governments and general
public. The objective of the notification is protection and sustainable
development of coastal structures and marine environment through
sustainable coastal management, based on sound, scientific principles
taking into account the vulnerability of coast to natural hazards,
sustainable livelihood of local community and conservation of ecologically
and culturally significant coastal area.
    Unfortunately the CZM Notification 2007 has become a contentious issue. A
lot of hue and cry have been raised from different sections of coastal
community on the contents of the notification. The apprehensions of
coastal community and their trade unions are based mainly on the
following:
ľ      The customary rights of fishermen are not seen protected. As a result
the fishermen community will be marginalised or even thrown out of coastal
area.
ľ      Fishing has not been identified as a key activity requiring sea
frontage and hence their access rights to sea and beach is under threat.
ľ      The sea ward line prescribed is 12 nautical miles as against 500 m
prescribed by CRZ Act 1991.
ľ      In the absence of well defined regulations and No Development Zone
(NDZ) in the draft notification strong tourism lobbies with money power
may infiltrate in to the coastal area.
ľ      The rights of fishermen to build houses and settlements keep fishing
implements in the open beach and free access to beach and sea will be
affected.
ľ       In the CRZ Act 1991 certain restrictions were imposed in CRZ I for
protection of environment. In the draft CZM notification no such
restrictions appear to be prescribed.

    As you are aware fishing is a State subject to be dealt by the State
Government.    A focus on social dimensions addressing the concerns of the
poor and marginalised fishery dependent coastal community must be
reflected in the CZM Notification. Under the pretext of permissible
activities commercial interests and tourism lobbies should not be
allowed to plunder the coastal environment. The customary rights of
fishermen community is to be ensured and their basic occupational needs
such as housing, schooling, health care are to be satisfied ,
facilities to keep the valloms and nets are to be provided and access
rights to sea and beach have to be ensured. There should be ample
provisions in the notification empowering the State Government to deal
with such vital issues of social importance.

In the context of apprehensions raised by fishermen organizations a
meeting of the trade unions has been convened to discuss the issue on
22.08.2007 at Trivandrum. Accordingly we have planned a state level
workshop on 08th September 2007 at Kochi to discuss in detail the
implications of CZM Notification 2007 in the fishery sector of Kerala
ensuring participation of experts and fishermen organisations in the
filed. I hope meaningful recommendations will emerge from the
deliberations of the workshop helpful for formulating the views of State
Government on draft notification. In this context I request your good self
to desist from taking a hasty decision on the CZM Notification 2007 before
hearing the views of Kerala Government. A detailed memorandum containing
the views of State Government will be submitted to Government of India
shortly.
Yours sincerely,
(S. SHARMA)
Fisheries minister, Kerala Govt.

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