[Reader-list] Projects are not helping the tsunami-hit: NGOs

[T Peter]

 Projects are not helping the tsunami-hit: NGOs
Date:25/10/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102555650700.htm
Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of NGOs have criticised the government for
diverting funds earmarked for tsunami rehabilitation to tourism sector
in the State.

Addressing presspersons here, T. Peter, State president of the Kerala
Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, A.R. Sajeer representing
Kerala Tourism Watch and Sumesh Mangalassery of Kabani Tour said the
20 tourism projects taken up in Kerala with Central funds under the
Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) violated the guidelines issued by
the Planning Commission. They said none of the projects were being
implemented in tsunami-affected areas.

They said the projects would not benefit local people, particularly
the fishing communities who were displaced by the tsunami. They also
warned that a section of the fishermen community would even their land
and livelihood. "While the projects are being implemented in the name
of coastal protection, they are actually for the development of
tourism infrastructure and beautification of beaches," Mr. Peter said.

"The activities proposed include construction of walkways and
amphitheatres and landscaping. The construction of an artificial reef
at Kovalam to provide water sports facilities threatens the livelihood
of over 500 fishermen. The waves deflected by the reef may cause
increased erosion and damage in the neighbouring areas."

Mr. Sajeer said the failure to take stakeholders into confidence had
led to doubts about the intention. "The Department of Tourism contends
that the projects would give jobs to local people through beach
tourism. However, tsunami survivors have not been consulted on the
role that tourism would play in rebuilding their lives."

The NGOs alleged that the Tourism Department had violated Planning
Commission stipulations that the funds should be used only for
repairing damaged roads, beach resorts and tourist complexes. They
also said the project bypassed vulnerable coasts at Alappad and
Arattupuzha.

Dead fish surge causes alarm
Date:25/10/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102559800300.htm

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Panic gripped the coastal belt of the city from
Pallithura to Poonthura on Friday after large numbers of dead fish
were washed ashore. The strong stench of rotting fish pervaded the
entire coastal area, sparking fears of a public health hazard.

The City Corporation deployed workers to bury the dead fish on the beaches.

There was no official response to the incident or the reasons for the
mass death of fish. However, the Department of Aquatic Biology under
the University of Kerala ruled out the possibility of an algal bloom
like the one off the Ramanathapuram coast last week that resulted in
the death of marine organisms.

Faculty member K. Padmakumar told The Hindu that there were no reports
of discoloration of sea water that is typical of an algal bloom or
red-tide phenomenon. The fish belong to the Balistidae family of
triggerfish that is referred to as 'klaathi' in local parlance.

"Though not inedible, the fish is not normally used for consumption
because of its strong smell and tough skin that is hard to remove.
Based on our interaction with fishermen, we presume that some trawlers
had dumped their catch at sea after netting this particular species in
large numbers. The dead fish would have been washed ashore," Dr.
Padmakumar said.

Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation State president T.
Peter said 'klaathi' was common in the offshore areas during the
season. "They are probably transported here by ocean currents. The
disturbance caused by these currents could have disturbed the marine
environment, leading to mass mortality of fish. There is also the
possibility that trawlers had discarded their catch because the market
value of this species is worth almost nothing" he said.

Corporation Health Officer Sreekumar said the magnitude of the
incident had given rise to apprehensions among the fishermen.

"The beaches all along the coast from Pallithura to Poonthura were
littered with dead fish since Thursday night. We have taken
precautions to prevent a health hazard. The fish are being buried on
the beach and workers have been directed to sprinkle bleaching powder
in the trenches before filling them up with sand," he said.

Dr. Sreekumar said fishermen returning from sea had reported seeing
whole shoals of dead fish floating on the surface. "We expect more
fish to be washed ashore over the next day," he said.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu also visited the coastal areas to supervise the
disposal of dead fish.



Date:25/10/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102555650700.htm
Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of NGOs have criticised the government for
diverting funds earmarked for tsunami rehabilitation to tourism sector
in the State.

Addressing presspersons here, T. Peter, State president of the Kerala
Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, A.R. Sajeer representing
Kerala Tourism Watch and Sumesh Mangalassery of Kabani Tour said the
20 tourism projects taken up in Kerala with Central funds under the
Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) violated the guidelines issued by
the Planning Commission. They said none of the projects were being
implemented in tsunami-affected areas.

They said the projects would not benefit local people, particularly
the fishing communities who were displaced by the tsunami. They also
warned that a section of the fishermen community would even their land
and livelihood. "While the projects are being implemented in the name
of coastal protection, they are actually for the development of
tourism infrastructure and beautification of beaches," Mr. Peter said.

"The activities proposed include construction of walkways and
amphitheatres and landscaping. The construction of an artificial reef
at Kovalam to provide water sports facilities threatens the livelihood
of over 500 fishermen. The waves deflected by the reef may cause
increased erosion and damage in the neighbouring areas."

Mr. Sajeer said the failure to take stakeholders into confidence had
led to doubts about the intention. "The Department of Tourism contends
that the projects would give jobs to local people through beach
tourism. However, tsunami survivors have not been consulted on the
role that tourism would play in rebuilding their lives."

The NGOs alleged that the Tourism Department had violated Planning
Commission stipulations that the funds should be used only for
repairing damaged roads, beach resorts and tourist complexes. They
also said the project bypassed vulnerable coasts at Alappad and
Arattupuzha.

Dead fish surge causes alarm
Date:25/10/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102559800300.htm

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Panic gripped the coastal belt of the city from
Pallithura to Poonthura on Friday after large numbers of dead fish
were washed ashore. The strong stench of rotting fish pervaded the
entire coastal area, sparking fears of a public health hazard.

The City Corporation deployed workers to bury the dead fish on the beaches.

There was no official response to the incident or the reasons for the
mass death of fish. However, the Department of Aquatic Biology under
the University of Kerala ruled out the possibility of an algal bloom
like the one off the Ramanathapuram coast last week that resulted in
the death of marine organisms.

Faculty member K. Padmakumar told The Hindu that there were no reports
of discoloration of sea water that is typical of an algal bloom or
red-tide phenomenon. The fish belong to the Balistidae family of
triggerfish that is referred to as 'klaathi' in local parlance.

"Though not inedible, the fish is not normally used for consumption
because of its strong smell and tough skin that is hard to remove.
Based on our interaction with fishermen, we presume that some trawlers
had dumped their catch at sea after netting this particular species in
large numbers. The dead fish would have been washed ashore," Dr.
Padmakumar said.

Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation State president T.
Peter said 'klaathi' was common in the offshore areas during the
season. "They are probably transported here by ocean currents. The
disturbance caused by these currents could have disturbed the marine
environment, leading to mass mortality of fish. There is also the
possibility that trawlers had discarded their catch because the market
value of this species is worth almost nothing" he said.

Corporation Health Officer Sreekumar said the magnitude of the
incident had given rise to apprehensions among the fishermen.

"The beaches all along the coast from Pallithura to Poonthura were
littered with dead fish since Thursday night. We have taken
precautions to prevent a health hazard. The fish are being buried on
the beach and workers have been directed to sprinkle bleaching powder
in the trenches before filling them up with sand," he said.

Dr. Sreekumar said fishermen returning from sea had reported seeing
whole shoals of dead fish floating on the surface. "We expect more
fish to be washed ashore over the next day," he said.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu also visited the coastal areas to supervise the
disposal of dead fish.