Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

'Sethu project will damage marine life'

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, MARCH 14. The Coastal Action Network (CAN) today said that deriving a lesson from the devastation inflicted by tsunami among fishermen, the Centre must abandon the Sethusamudram canal project.

If the Government went ahead with the project, it would cause irreparable damage to the marine life, liquidating the livelihood sources of fishermen already reeling under damage caused by the December 26 tsunami.

These demands were made at a meeting of fishermen convened jointly by the CAN, the Federation of Consumer Organisations - Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the Meenavar Viduthalai Vengaikal and the Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Federation, here.

Data on fishermen

The CAN State committee member, Gilbert, called upon the fishermen not to give up their traditional and historical rights over the coastal areas. Exploiting their fears over tsunami, the Government was trying to dislocate them by stating coastal zone regulations.

Mr. Gilbert said the State Government had directed the Collectors of 13 tsunami-affected districts to collect data on fishermen who used to live within 500 metres and up to 1,000 metres from the high-tide line.

Once the proposed permanent shelters were ready, the Collectors should get it in writing from the fishermen that they would relinquish their rights to the existing property, before moving over to the new premises.

Mr. Gilbert alleged that once they give the undertaking they would forfeit their rights to their places. World Bank and Asian Development Bank teams that visited the affected areas had not come out with any concrete plans to help out the fishermen, but hinted at setting up a massive freezing plant. It meant the multinational companies would soon take up deep fishing operation, edging out the traditional fishermen.

`Local community'

Mr. Gilbert called upon the fishermen to resolve not to forego their rights to their native places. He noted that the Government had coined an omnibus phrase "local community" to include those who had started resorts, hotels and chemical units in the coastal areas. It deliberately added the neighbouring places to the coastal panchayats, making fishermen a minority community.

`Bio-shields'

The CAN urged the fishermen to be wary of these designs and by their show of solidarity dispel such moves. It suggested raising casuarinas and mangrove on the seacoast as bio-shields, and entrust fishermen to manage them and enjoy the benefits accruing from them. It called for a White Paper on tsunami deaths and missing persons.

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'Sethu project will damage marine life'

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