Date:14/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/14/stories/2005051409040300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Fishermen demand Government aid

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The Swatantra Matsya Tozhilali Federation leader Lal Koipparambil has demanded that the Union and State Governments provide compensation to the fishermen as the tsunami had devastated the fish wealth and habitats.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Lal alleged that though a study conducted by the Science and Technology Department of the Union Government confirmed that the tsunami had inflicted considerable damage to the fish wealth of the country, the Union Minister Kapil Sibal was trying to cover up the findings.

Mr. Lal said the tsunami caused severe damage to the shallow seabed between Kollam and Kochi.

The phenomenon of `chakara' occurs in the area. The tsunami must have destroyed the mudbanks on the seabed which are conducive for the phenomenon.

The destruction of the mudbanks was the reason for the repeated sea erosions experienced by various coastal villages in the area this summer.

Sea erosion was not common earlier during summer, Mr. Lal said.

He said the fishermen had completely stopped deep-sea fishing after the tsunami.

Earlier, the fishermen used to get good catch of big sea fishes during summer, but it had not occurred this summer, he said. The fishermen get only sardines at present, Mr Lal said.