[Reader-list] 'CZM norms will affect fishermen'

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'CZM norms will affect fishermen'
Date:09/08/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/09/stories/2008080954040400.htm
Special Correspondent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government would not approve the coastal zone
management norms that go against the interests of traditional
fishermen and do not protect their livelihood, Minister for Fisheries
S. Sarma said here on Friday.

Inaugurating a seminar on 'Coastal zone management norms' organised by
the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Mr. Sarma said that the
influence of globalisation was quite obvious in the draft CZM norms.
Development should not be at the cost of the life of the fisherfolk.
Those in power may be guided by the Constitution, but the poor are
governed not by rules, but by the problems of life. They will not
accept rules that entail displacement or harm their existence.
Similarly, development and environment should be complementary.
Environmental concerns should be addressed while taking up development
ventures, but it should not be shelved in the name of environmental
protection, he said.

If displaced from the coastal area, the fisherfolk would be deprived
of their livelihood. The draft regulations help unrestricted capital
investment in the coastal areas. The State government will encourage
development of tourism, but it should not be at the expense of the
culture and tradition, he said.

CEE programme coordinator G. Padma presided. George Mercier, MLA,
Vicar-General of Trivandrum diocese Eugene Perieira and others spoke.