[Reader-list] Peoples Convention against CZM

[T Peter]

Peoples Convention against CZM


Alappuzha, 11th May 2008
A peoples convention held at Arthunkal, Alappuzha dt. Kerala had
declared united uncompromising struggle against the proposed CZM
notification by Govt.Of India which will drive away traditional fish
workers from their livelihood. The convention was organized as part of
the district conference of AITUC. The function was presisded over by
Com. T.J. Anjalose, EX-MP and leader of AITUC. Com. Anjalose expressed
concern over the move by the Central govt.to implement the
recommendations of Swaminathan committee report unilaterally even
without a discussion in the parliament.
Mr. C.R. Neelakandan, social activist, had explained that this move is
to help the national and international capital which is eager to
invade our sea and coast for tourism, mining of mineral sand etc. Any
of the previous governments could not implement the existing Coastal
Regulation Zone Act properly and it was amended 19 times and all these
amendments were for the investors and not for the traditional
fishworkers. This is because all our governments, irrespective of
parties, are competing each other to be more Investor Friendly.
Goverments could not rectify the damages caused to the southern coast
by the existing Cochin Port . But now they are dredging the port to
increase its depth by 25 meters more for the Vallarpadom International
Container Terminal without  any Environmental Impact Assessment.  This
project is fully owned by a Multinational firm.


Mr. T. Peter, president KSMTF had explained that the new notification
is not at all mentioning about the traditional fish workers who are
the real owners of the coast from time immemorial. Now they are driven
away to facilitate the capitalist to control the coast. He criticizes
the constitution of M.S Swaminathan committee which had no
representatives from the fishing community. The decision to hand over
the powers to draw the vulnerability line to the local bodies will be
detrimental to the long term  interests of the fisher people, he said.
He also expressed concern in the move to define CZM area upto 12
nautical mile into the sea. This is to facilitate the project for sea
sand mining proposed during the Global Investors Meet by the earlier
UDF government.
Com. K. S Manoj, MP had promised the convention that he will initiate
immediate action to coordinate among MPs various parties to raise the
issue in Parliament. He informed that he had alraedy talked to MPs
from Pondichery and Karwar in this regared. Many peoples organizations
like Solidarity Youth Movement., Kerala Latin Catholic Association and
trade unions like CITU and AITUC are already in the forfront to fight
against this move.
Fr. Stephen M. Punnakkal, Aboobacker, R. Prasad, K.T.Vincent and other
leaders of AITUC spoke in the convention