Environment Support Group
Uncategorized

Representation submitted to Mr. Jairam Ramesh by Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation – KSMTF) along with endorsements

Save the Coasts! Oppose backdoor changes to coastal regulation norms!

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the planned move of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), as recently reported in the press, to introduce by July 16, a new, ‘hybrid’ set of coastal regulatory rules which will combine existing regulation and new rules based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. This is completely unacceptable and we are outraged by what appears to be a brazen attempt by the MoEF to introduce through the backdoor, pro-industry and anti-people coastal reforms that are being bitterly opposed by fishing and other coastal communities, environmental organizations, women’s organizations, trade unions and NGOs.

The report of the Swaminathan Committee had recommended that existing coastal regulation be dismantled and the coasts opened up to allow a wide range of economic activities; that ‘no-development zone’ restrictions be lifted in sensitive core areas and that the coastal zone be extended up to 12 nautical miles into the sea to make way for Notified Tourism Areas, Special Economic Zones, mining projects, industrial estates, power plants, ports and harbours. The report was rejected by the people who saw it as facilitating the illegal takeover of coastal land from the poor. It was an attempt to clear the path for unchecked coastal commercialization that did not hesitate to put 10 million fisher people in harm’s way; to destroy fragile and life-sustaining coastal ecosystems, and to significantly increase the potential for global warming and climate change through opening up coastal land for grabs.

The irresponsible and scheming recommendations subsequently formed the basis of a Draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) 2008 Notification to which objections were invited in May 2008. Several coastal state governments opposed the draft. It was opposed by fishing communities, environmental organizations, women’s organizations, trade unions and NGOs in every coastal state. The recent report submitted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment and Forests clearly recommends that the CMZ 2008 Notification be kept in abeyance. The Parliamentary Panel criticized the Government’s attempt to bring new coastal legislation through an undemocratic and non-participatory process. It has urged the Government to ensure the “inclusion and integration of coastal communities through participative, decision making and control instruments.”

The MoEF statement however indicates that while the CMZ 2008 Notification will be kept pending, the existing 1991 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification to be issued on July 16 will now include the highly objectionable Swaminathan Committee recommendations. This is nothing but bringing the CMZ Notification through the backdoor! Was the public engagement on the issue no more than mere eyewash to manage dissent? We strongly condemn this underhand move of the newly formed UPA Government!

Reworking coastal rules to accommodate neo-liberal policies will endanger both the coasts and the lives of 250 million coastal dwellers, including 10 million fisher people. Fisher women, whose main activities are shoreline-based, are already suffering due to violations of existing norms which have allowed exploitative economic activities, like mining, tourism and hazardous industries to mushroom in coastal areas. Fisher women are aware that if coastal policy is amended to legitimize full-scale liberalization, they will have to bear the brunt of the resulting livelihood insecurity, coastal erosion, unavailability of basic services, cultural disintegration as well as increased sexual exploitation.

No change to coastal legislation can take place without proper consultations with fishing populations, including women; complete consensus from all coastal states; proper parliamentary discussion and national debate. We therefore reiterate that the only way forward is to:

  1. Scrap any moves towards introducing the CMZ 2008 Notification
  2. Reject the Swaminathan Committee report recommendations
  3. Implement the 1991 CRZ Notification in its original form
  4. Immediately identify and punish violations of the original 1991 CRZ Notification
  5. Immediately recognize and uphold the traditional and customary rights of fisher people to housing, coastal lands as well as sea and marine resources.

Kerala Swatantra Malsya Thozhilaly Federation (KSMTF)
T.Peter, President, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF)
[email protected], mobile:09447429243
www.keralafishworkers.orgwww.alakal.net

Endorsements:

  1. Aastha Sansthan, Udaipur
  2. Adishakti Lokbikash Sangthan, Patrapur, Gajpati, Orissa
  3. Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan Mayurbhanj, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
  4. Adivasi Banvasi Kalyan Samiti, Sonbhadra
  5. Adivasi Bikash Parisad, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
  6. Adivasi Chetona Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
  7. Adivasi Dalit Adhikar Abhijan Manch, Pallahara, Anugul, Orissa
  8. Adivasi Jan Van Adhikar Manch, Chattisgarh
  9. Adivasi Solidarity Council (South India), Tamil Nadu
  10. Adiwasi Samta Manch Kankwe-East, Bastar
  11. Akhra, Ranchi
  12. Alter Media, Trichur
  13. Anchalik Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Orissa
  14. Anchalik Jungle Surakshya Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
  15. Anchalika Adivasi Unnayan Parishad, Hindol, Dhenkanal, Orissa
  16. Ancholia Unnayan Parishad, Phiringia, Kandhamal, Orissa
  17. Ancholiko Unnayan Sangh, Dasmonthpur, Koraput, Orissa
  18. Ancholiko Vikas Parisad, Pottangi, Koraput, Orissa
  19. ANHAD ( Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), New Delhi
  20. Anthra, Hyderabad and Pune
  21. Antyodaya Chetana Mandal (ACM), Orissa
  22. Apda Nivarak Manch, Jalaun
  23. B.K.S.Moodigeri Karnataka
  24. B.K.S.Moodigeri Karnataka
  25. Bada Emam Bada, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh
  26. Badlav Sansthan, Udaipur
  27. BAGHICHA
  28. Balmianni Kutomi, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
  29. Basel Mission Christian Association, Bangalore,
  30. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal
  31. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal
  32. Bhopal Group for Information & Action
  33. binayaksen.net
  34. Breakthrough Appropriate Technology Transfer Network (BATNET), Orissa
  35. Budakattu Krishikara Sangha (B.K.S.) Karnataka
  36. Career Vidya Labs Pvt. Ltd. Anandnagar, Pune
  37. Career Vidya Labs Pvt. Ltd. Anandnagar, Pune
  38. Center for Social Initiatives, Gorakhpur
  39. Centre for Education and Documentation
  40. Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) ,Imphal, Manipur
  41. Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO), Tamilnadu and Orissa
  42. Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi, Kerala
  43. Chetana Sansthan, Rajgarh, Alwar
  44. CIEDS collective and Karnataka Social Forum
  45. CIEDS Collective, Bangaluru
  46. Coastal community development society
  47. Coastal development Forum- Alappuzha
  48. Coastal Womens Movement
  49. Community Environmental Monitoring, Chennai
  50. Coorg Organisation For Rural Development (CORD)
  51. Corporate Accountability Desk of The Other Media, Chennai
  52. Council of Professional Social Workers (CPSW), Orissa
  53. CSDS, New Delhi
  54. CVenter for Organisation Reasearch & Education (CORE)
  55. Dabco, Madhya Pradesh
  56. DEED, Hunsur
  57. Delhi Forum
  58. Delhi School Of Economics
  59. Deo-mali Mahila Sangh, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
  60. Dept of Physics(QOLS),Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
  61. Dhithi Infoserve Pvt. Ltd
  62. Dialogue from the Other End, Chattisgarh
  63. Disha Samaj Sevi Sanstha, Chattisgarh
  64. Earth Justice, USA (Todd True)
  65. East Coast Research and Development, 19/1, Manual Jacob Lane, Thoothukudi
  66. East Coast Research and Development, Thoothukudi, Tamil nadu
  67. Electro – Homeopathy Medical Association of India, Allahabad
  68. Environment Support Group, Bangalore
  69. Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, U.S. (Dr. Mark Chernaik)
  70. EQUATIONS
  71. Focus on Global South, New Delhi
  72. Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai.
  73. Foundation for Nature Exploration and Environmental Conservation, Bangalore
  74. Free Binayak Sen Campaign
  75. FRIENDS, Varanasi
  76. Gana Chetana Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
  77. Ganglamaa Vikash Manch, Korkunda, Malkangiri, Orissa
  78. Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh
  79. Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (Mumbai)
  80. Gram Sahajog, Kalahandi, Orissa
  81. Gram Vikas (GV), Orissa
  82. Gramanchal Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Keonjhar, Orissa
  83. Green Alternatives
  84. Greenpeace India
  85. Greenpeace, India
  86. Himal Watch, Uttarakhand
  87. Ho Munda Bhasa Bikash Manch, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
  88. ICR Delhi
  89. ICSF, Chennai
  90. IDSL, Begumganj, Madhya Pradesh
  91. Indian Social Action Forum – INSAF, Delhi
  92. Indian Social Institute, New Delhi
  93. INSAF, New Delhi
  94. Integrated Rural Development of Weaker Sections in India (IRDWSI), Orissa
  95. Intercultural Resources
  96. International Institute of Art, Culture & Democracy, Bangalore
  97. International Institute of Art, Culture & Democracy, Bangalore
  98. Jagran Jan vikas , Udaipur, Rajasthan.
  99. Jahar Surkshya Manch, Rasgovindpur, Kaptipada, Orissa
  100. JAN CHETANA
  101. JAN CHETANA Satyam Kunj, Naya Ganj
  102. JAN CHETANA, Raigarh, Chhathisgarh
  103. Jenamunnettom-Kerala
  104. Jharkhnd Jengal Bechavo Antholan
  105. Jungle Jivan Surakshya Parisad, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
  106. KABANI The Other Direction, Kerala
  107. Kalpavriksh
  108. Kancheepuram District Fisher People Rights Movement
  109. Karnataka Social Forum, Bangaluru
  110. Kasti Dakua Adivasi Mohasangha, Nuagaon, Nayagarh, Orissa
  111. Kenneth Anderson Nature Society
  112. Kerala Swatantra Malsya Thozhilaly Federation (KSMTF)
  113. Kerala Theeradesa Mahilavedi
  114. Kerala Theeradesa Mahilavedi
  115. Keraleeyam Magazine, Trichur
  116. Kheti Virasat Mission, Punjab.
  117. Kinder Not Hilfe, Bangalore
  118. Kisan Morcha, Bikaner
  119. KLN LOYKASTS Pvt Ltd Unit Bangalore
  120. Kuvi Kulomi, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
  121. LABIA/ Stree Sangam, Mumbai
  122. Loko Unnayan Sangh (LUS), Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
  123. Madhuban Sewa Samiti, Fatehpur
  124. Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society, Madurai
  125. Mahendragiri Adivasi Adhikar Samiti, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
  126. Mahila Evam Bal Kalyan Sewa Samiti, Deoria
  127. Malabar Theeradesa Mahila Federation
  128. Malaygiri Bikash Manch, Anugul, Keonjhar, Orissa
  129. Malwarmir, Indore
  130. Maru Women SHG federation, Bikaner
  131. Meenava Viduthalai Vengaiakal
  132. Mewat Community Foundation, Alwar
  133. Mewat Vikas Shiksha Samiti, Rajasthan
  134. MMSVS, Alwar
  135. Moving Republic, Bangalore
  136. Mukti Sanghthan (The male member’s organisation), Dhenkanal, Orissa
  137. Munigiri Gana Sangthan, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
  138. Myriad Mercado Private Limited
  139. Nagarik Mancha, West Bengal
  140. Nagrik Kalyan Samity, Jharkhnd
  141. Nari Bikash-Women Organisation, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa
  142. Narmada Bachao Andolan
  143. National Adivasi Alliance
  144. National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights
  145. National coastal womens movement
  146. National Society of Friends of the Trees (Pune Branch)
  147. National Society of Friends of the Trees (Pune Branch) ,6 Boat Club Road Pune.
  148. National Union of Fishermen
  149. New Socialist Alternative
  150. New Trade Union Initative
  151. NFFPFW, New Delhi
  152. Niyamgiri Surkshya Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
  153. Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan, Orissa
  154. Open Space & SUPPORT,Bangalore
  155. Open Space & SUPPORT,No. 65, 2nd D Cross, Cholanayakanahalli, RT Nagara Post, Bangalore-
  156. Openspace, Bangalore
  157. PAD Vambar Tamilnadu
  158. PAD Vambar Tamilnadu
  159. Pahadi Sangrami Manch, Kandhamal, Orissa
  160. Paryavaran Mitra, Ahmedabad
  161. Pathabhedam Magazine, Calicut
  162. PEACE, New Delhi
  163. People’s Institute for Participatory Action Research (PIPAR), Orissa
  164. People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM), Orissa
  165. Peoples Movement against Nuclear Energy, Tamil nadu
  166. Pondichery state fishworkers forum
  167. Praktik Paryavaran Sarvardhan Samiti, Jaipur
  168. Presentation Sisters Lismore, Australia
  169. Project level committee, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
  170. PUCL, Balia
  171. Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC), Orissa
  172. RIGHTS Kerala
  173. River Basin Friends (NE)
  174. Rural Action for Development (RAD), Orissa
  175. Rusimal Anchalik Unnayan Parishad, Daringbadi, Kondhmal, Orissa
  176. SADED
  177. Sahaya, Kandhamal, Orissa
  178. Saheli, New Delhi
  179. SAIACS, CED Centre, Bangalore
  180. Sajukodi Dhorti Surkhya Porisod, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
  181. Samajika Parivartana Vikas Kendra (SPVK), Orissa
  182. Samajika Vikas Kendram (SVK), Orissa
  183. Samruddhi Kanakapura Karnataka.
  184. Samruddhi Kanakapura Karnataka.
  185. Samudayik Vikas Sansthan, Barabanki
  186. Sanmathi, Bangalore
  187. Sarvangeen Gramin Vikas Prashikshan Samiti, Mubarakpur, Gazipur
  188. Saura Adivasi Ahikar Abhijan, Nuagada, Gajpati, Orissa
  189. Seba Jagat Orissa
  190. SEBAJAGAT (Orissa)
  191. Senior Conservation Scientist-Wildlife Conservation Society 403, Seebo Apartments 26-2, Aga Abbas Ali Road Bangalore (Dr. Ullas Karanth)
  192. Senior Conservation Scientist-Wildlife Conservation Society Bangalore
  193. Seva Bharati (SB), Orissa
  194. Shakti Sangthan (The women member’s organisation), Dhenkanal, Orissa
  195. Shefalie third world network
  196. Shremasakthi Job Training &Research Centre, Trivandrum
  197. Social Action Group for Achievement of Right (SAGAR), Jaunpur
  198. Social Scientist, Hyderabad
  199. Social Work Department, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore
  200. Society for Leprosy Amelioration and Rehabilitation (SOLAR), Orissa
  201. Socio-Economic Development Programme (SEDP), Orissa and WB
  202. Solidarity Youth Movement- Kerala
  203. South India Fisher People Welfare Society
  204. South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education & Monitoring (SICHREM)
  205. Tagore Society for Rural Development (TSRD), Orissa and WB
  206. Tamil Nadu Environment Council (TNEC)
  207. Tamilnadu Coastal Protection Movement
  208. Tamilnadu Fisher People Development Society
  209. Tamilnadu Pondy Fisher people Federation
  210. TEED Trust Yellapur Karnataka
  211. The Organic Farmers Federation of Erode Region
  212. Third Eye Communication, Cochin
  213. Tirunelveli District Fisher People Coordination Committee
  214. Trust for Environmental Education
  215. United Artists Association (UAA), Orissa
  216. United Evangelical Mission, Kallor, Nagapattinam, TN
  217. uvi Bdayu , Bandhugaon, Koraput, Orissa
  218. Vasundhara, Orissa
  219. Vettiver Collective, Chennai
  220. Vimochana, Bangalore
  221. Visual Search, bangalore
  222. Vsthar, Bangalore
  223. WaterWatch Alliance, New Delhi
  224. Yakshi, Hyderabad
  225. YMCA, Bangalore.
  226. Zailaitmu, Tumdibandh, Kotagarh, Kandhamal, Orissa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *