[Reader-list] KSMTF plans stir against sea reclamation

[T Peter]

 *By Express News Service
14 Jul 2009 01:24:00 AM IST*
KSMTF plans stir against sea reclamation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF)
has decided to launch an agitation against the Kinfra project to reclaim
5,000 hectares of sea at Veli and develop it for commercial purposes and for
the development of the Airport.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday State president of the
Federation T.Peter said that reclamation of the sea would be detrimental to
the interests of thousands of fishermen who eke out a living from the sea.
He urged the Government not to give sanction for the project. If sea is
reclaimed at one area it will cause sea erosion in the nearby areas
ultimately resulting in the destruction of the houses of the fishermen,
Peter said.
He said that as the coastal sea in Thiruvananthapuram was very deep,  the
sea waves also would be of destructive strength. No environmental impact
study has been held in this regard, he said. The change in the sea current
would be disastrous for the fishing activity as it would even lead to the
depletion of the marine wealth.
As part of the first phase of the agitation, fishermen will stage a dharna
in front of the Secretariat at 11 a.m. on Friday. The agitation based along
the sea cost would be strengthened. Even the survey on the coastal belt will
not be allowed, he said.
Peter demanded the State and Central Governments to write off the debts of
the fishermen.
Anto Elias, secretary of the Federation, also attended the news conference.