[Reader-list] Protest against mineral sand-mining

[T Peter]

Protest against mineral sand-mining
Staff Reporter :ALAPPUZHA, July 29, 2012:The Hindu
The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) and the
National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) have demanded that the government
desist from mineral sand-mining along the coasts of Alappuzha and
Kollam with private participation, proposed as part of ‘Emerging
Kerala Global Connect’ to be held in September.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, T. Peter, national
secretary, NFF, and Jackson Pollayil, general secretary, KSMTF, said
that Arattupuzha and Alappad were places which faced the worst form of
sea erosion.

“The drastic change in the environment of the seashore after the
tsunami in these places will be subjected to far-reaching consequences
once mining is allowed,” the leaders said.

They said that the fishworkers would organise a mass dharna at Jantar
Mantar in New Delhi and at the Central government offices in coastal
States on Quit India Day on August 9 demanding cancellation of the
decision to allow 77 foreign trawlers to fish in Indian waters.