Coastal Zone Management and Regulations
Background
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:
- Scrap any moves towards introducing the CMZ 2008 Notification
- Reject the Swaminathan Committee report recommendations
- Implement the 1991 CRZ Notification in its original form
- Immediately identify and punish violations of the original 1991 CRZ Notification
- 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.org, www.alakal.net
Endorsements:
- Aastha Sansthan, Udaipur
- Adishakti Lokbikash Sangthan, Patrapur, Gajpati, Orissa
- Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan Mayurbhanj, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
- Adivasi Banvasi Kalyan Samiti, Sonbhadra
- Adivasi Bikash Parisad, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
- Adivasi Chetona Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
- Adivasi Dalit Adhikar Abhijan Manch, Pallahara, Anugul, Orissa
- Adivasi Jan Van Adhikar Manch, Chattisgarh
- Adivasi Solidarity Council (South India), Tamil Nadu
- Adiwasi Samta Manch Kankwe-East, Bastar
- Akhra, Ranchi
- Alter Media, Trichur
- Anchalik Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Orissa
- Anchalik Jungle Surakshya Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
- Anchalika Adivasi Unnayan Parishad, Hindol, Dhenkanal, Orissa
- Ancholia Unnayan Parishad, Phiringia, Kandhamal, Orissa
- Ancholiko Unnayan Sangh, Dasmonthpur, Koraput, Orissa
- Ancholiko Vikas Parisad, Pottangi, Koraput, Orissa
- ANHAD ( Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), New Delhi
- Anthra, Hyderabad and Pune
- Antyodaya Chetana Mandal (ACM), Orissa
- Apda Nivarak Manch, Jalaun
- B.K.S.Moodigeri Karnataka
- B.K.S.Moodigeri Karnataka
- Bada Emam Bada, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh
- Badlav Sansthan, Udaipur
- BAGHICHA
- Balmianni Kutomi, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
- Basel Mission Christian Association, Bangalore,
- Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal
- Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal
- Bhopal Group for Information & Action
- binayaksen.net
- Breakthrough Appropriate Technology Transfer Network (BATNET), Orissa
- Budakattu Krishikara Sangha (B.K.S.) Karnataka
- Career Vidya Labs Pvt. Ltd. Anandnagar, Pune
- Career Vidya Labs Pvt. Ltd. Anandnagar, Pune
- Center for Social Initiatives, Gorakhpur
- Centre for Education and Documentation
- Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) ,Imphal, Manipur
- Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO), Tamilnadu and Orissa
- Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi, Kerala
- Chetana Sansthan, Rajgarh, Alwar
- CIEDS collective and Karnataka Social Forum
- CIEDS Collective, Bangaluru
- Coastal community development society
- Coastal development Forum- Alappuzha
- Coastal Womens Movement
- Community Environmental Monitoring, Chennai
- Coorg Organisation For Rural Development (CORD)
- Corporate Accountability Desk of The Other Media, Chennai
- Council of Professional Social Workers (CPSW), Orissa
- CSDS, New Delhi
- CVenter for Organisation Reasearch & Education (CORE)
- Dabco, Madhya Pradesh
- DEED, Hunsur
- Delhi Forum
- Delhi School Of Economics
- Deo-mali Mahila Sangh, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
- Dept of Physics(QOLS),Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Dhithi Infoserve Pvt. Ltd
- Dialogue from the Other End, Chattisgarh
- Disha Samaj Sevi Sanstha, Chattisgarh
- Earth Justice, USA (Todd True)
- East Coast Research and Development, 19/1, Manual Jacob Lane, Thoothukudi
- East Coast Research and Development, Thoothukudi, Tamil nadu
- Electro � Homeopathy Medical Association of India, Allahabad
- Environment Support Group, Bangalore
- Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, U.S. (Dr. Mark Chernaik)
- EQUATIONS
- Focus on Global South, New Delhi
- Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai.
- Foundation for Nature Exploration and Environmental Conservation, Bangalore
- Free Binayak Sen Campaign
- FRIENDS, Varanasi
- Gana Chetana Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
- Ganglamaa Vikash Manch, Korkunda, Malkangiri, Orissa
- Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh
- Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (Mumbai)
- Gram Sahajog, Kalahandi, Orissa
- Gram Vikas (GV), Orissa
- Gramanchal Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Keonjhar, Orissa
- Green Alternatives
- Greenpeace India
- Greenpeace, India
- Himal Watch, Uttarakhand
- Ho Munda Bhasa Bikash Manch, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
- ICR Delhi
- ICSF, Chennai
- IDSL, Begumganj, Madhya Pradesh
- Indian Social Action Forum - INSAF, Delhi
- Indian Social Institute, New Delhi
- INSAF, New Delhi
- Integrated Rural Development of Weaker Sections in India (IRDWSI), Orissa
- Intercultural Resources
- International Institute of Art, Culture & Democracy, Bangalore
- International Institute of Art, Culture & Democracy, Bangalore
- Jagran Jan vikas , Udaipur, Rajasthan.
- Jahar Surkshya Manch, Rasgovindpur, Kaptipada, Orissa
- JAN CHETANA
- JAN CHETANA Satyam Kunj, Naya Ganj
- JAN CHETANA, Raigarh, Chhathisgarh
- Jenamunnettom-Kerala
- Jharkhnd Jengal Bechavo Antholan
- Jungle Jivan Surakshya Parisad, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
- KABANI The Other Direction, Kerala
- Kalpavriksh
- Kancheepuram District Fisher People Rights Movement
- Karnataka Social Forum, Bangaluru
- Kasti Dakua Adivasi Mohasangha, Nuagaon, Nayagarh, Orissa
- Kenneth Anderson Nature Society
- Kerala Swatantra Malsya Thozhilaly Federation (KSMTF)
- Kerala Theeradesa Mahilavedi
- Kerala Theeradesa Mahilavedi
- Keraleeyam Magazine, Trichur
- Kheti Virasat Mission, Punjab.
- Kinder Not Hilfe, Bangalore
- Kisan Morcha, Bikaner
- KLN LOYKASTS Pvt Ltd Unit Bangalore
- Kuvi Kulomi, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
- LABIA/ Stree Sangam, Mumbai
- Loko Unnayan Sangh (LUS), Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
- Madhuban Sewa Samiti, Fatehpur
- Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society, Madurai
- Mahendragiri Adivasi Adhikar Samiti, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
- Mahila Evam Bal Kalyan Sewa Samiti, Deoria
- Malabar Theeradesa Mahila Federation
- Malaygiri Bikash Manch, Anugul, Keonjhar, Orissa
- Malwarmir, Indore
- Maru Women SHG federation, Bikaner
- Meenava Viduthalai Vengaiakal
- Mewat Community Foundation, Alwar
- Mewat Vikas Shiksha Samiti, Rajasthan
- MMSVS, Alwar
- Moving Republic, Bangalore
- Mukti Sanghthan (The male member�s organisation), Dhenkanal, Orissa
- Munigiri Gana Sangthan, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
- Myriad Mercado Private Limited
- Nagarik Mancha, West Bengal
- Nagrik Kalyan Samity, Jharkhnd
- Nari Bikash-Women Organisation, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa
- Narmada Bachao Andolan
- National Adivasi Alliance
- National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights
- National coastal womens movement
- National Society of Friends of the Trees (Pune Branch)
- National Society of Friends of the Trees (Pune Branch) ,6 Boat Club Road Pune.
- National Union of Fishermen
- New Socialist Alternative
- New Trade Union Initative
- NFFPFW, New Delhi
- Niyamgiri Surkshya Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
- Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan, Orissa
- Open Space & SUPPORT,Bangalore
- Open Space & SUPPORT,No. 65, 2nd D Cross, Cholanayakanahalli, RT Nagara Post, Bangalore-
- Openspace, Bangalore
- PAD Vambar Tamilnadu
- PAD Vambar Tamilnadu
- Pahadi Sangrami Manch, Kandhamal, Orissa
- Paryavaran Mitra, Ahmedabad
- Pathabhedam Magazine, Calicut
- PEACE, New Delhi
- People's Institute for Participatory Action Research (PIPAR), Orissa
- People�s Rural Education Movement (PREM), Orissa
- Peoples Movement against Nuclear Energy, Tamil nadu
- Pondichery state fishworkers forum
- Praktik Paryavaran Sarvardhan Samiti, Jaipur
- Presentation Sisters Lismore, Australia
- Project level committee, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
- PUCL, Balia
- Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC), Orissa
- RIGHTS Kerala
- River Basin Friends (NE)
- Rural Action for Development (RAD), Orissa
- Rusimal Anchalik Unnayan Parishad, Daringbadi, Kondhmal, Orissa
- SADED
- Sahaya, Kandhamal, Orissa
- Saheli, New Delhi
- SAIACS, CED Centre, Bangalore
- Sajukodi Dhorti Surkhya Porisod, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
- Samajika Parivartana Vikas Kendra (SPVK), Orissa
- Samajika Vikas Kendram (SVK), Orissa
- Samruddhi Kanakapura Karnataka.
- Samruddhi Kanakapura Karnataka.
- Samudayik Vikas Sansthan, Barabanki
- Sanmathi, Bangalore
- Sarvangeen Gramin Vikas Prashikshan Samiti, Mubarakpur, Gazipur
- Saura Adivasi Ahikar Abhijan, Nuagada, Gajpati, Orissa
- Seba Jagat Orissa
- SEBAJAGAT (Orissa)
- Senior Conservation Scientist-Wildlife Conservation Society 403, Seebo Apartments 26-2, Aga Abbas Ali Road Bangalore (Dr. Ullas Karanth)
- Senior Conservation Scientist-Wildlife Conservation Society Bangalore
- Seva Bharati (SB), Orissa
- Shakti Sangthan (The women member�s organisation), Dhenkanal, Orissa
- Shefalie third world network
- Shremasakthi Job Training &Research Centre, Trivandrum
- Social Action Group for Achievement of Right (SAGAR), Jaunpur
- Social Scientist, Hyderabad
- Social Work Department, St. Joseph's College, Bangalore
- Society for Leprosy Amelioration and Rehabilitation (SOLAR), Orissa
- Socio-Economic Development Programme (SEDP), Orissa and WB
- Solidarity Youth Movement- Kerala
- South India Fisher People Welfare Society
- South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education & Monitoring (SICHREM)
- Tagore Society for Rural Development (TSRD), Orissa and WB
- Tamil Nadu Environment Council (TNEC)
- Tamilnadu Coastal Protection Movement
- Tamilnadu Fisher People Development Society
- Tamilnadu Pondy Fisher people Federation
- TEED Trust Yellapur Karnataka
- The Organic Farmers Federation of Erode Region
- Third Eye Communication, Cochin
- Tirunelveli District Fisher People Coordination Committee
- Trust for Environmental Education
- United Artists Association (UAA), Orissa
- United Evangelical Mission, Kallor, Nagapattinam, TN
- uvi Bdayu , Bandhugaon, Koraput, Orissa
- Vasundhara, Orissa
- Vettiver Collective, Chennai
- Vimochana, Bangalore
- Visual Search, bangalore
- Vsthar, Bangalore
- WaterWatch Alliance, New Delhi
- Yakshi, Hyderabad
- YMCA, Bangalore.
- Zailaitmu, Tumdibandh, Kotagarh, Kandhamal, Orissa
ESG is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes the cause of environmental and social justice through research, documentation, advocacy, training and campaign support. We aim to support the rights of local communities and voiceless ecosystems in a responsible, progressive manner that keeps contextual complexities in mind.