Projects are not helping the tsunami-hit: NGOs Date:25/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102555650700.htm Special Correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram: A group of NGOs have criticised the government for diverting funds earmarked for tsunami rehabilitation to tourism sector in the State. Addressing presspersons here, T. Peter, State president of the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, A.R. Sajeer representing Kerala Tourism Watch and Sumesh Mangalassery of Kabani Tour said the 20 tourism projects taken up in Kerala with Central funds under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) violated the guidelines issued by the Planning Commission. They said none of the projects were being implemented in tsunami-affected areas. They said the projects would not benefit local people, particularly the fishing communities who were displaced by the tsunami. They also warned that a section of the fishermen community would even their land and livelihood. "While the projects are being implemented in the name of coastal protection, they are actually for the development of tourism infrastructure and beautification of beaches," Mr. Peter said. "The activities proposed include construction of walkways and amphitheatres and landscaping. The construction of an artificial reef at Kovalam to provide water sports facilities threatens the livelihood of over 500 fishermen. The waves deflected by the reef may cause increased erosion and damage in the neighbouring areas." Mr. Sajeer said the failure to take stakeholders into confidence had led to doubts about the intention. "The Department of Tourism contends that the projects would give jobs to local people through beach tourism. However, tsunami survivors have not been consulted on the role that tourism would play in rebuilding their lives." The NGOs alleged that the Tourism Department had violated Planning Commission stipulations that the funds should be used only for repairing damaged roads, beach resorts and tourist complexes. They also said the project bypassed vulnerable coasts at Alappad and Arattupuzha. Dead fish surge causes alarm Date:25/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102559800300.htm Special Correspondent Thiruvananthapuram: Panic gripped the coastal belt of the city from Pallithura to Poonthura on Friday after large numbers of dead fish were washed ashore. The strong stench of rotting fish pervaded the entire coastal area, sparking fears of a public health hazard. The City Corporation deployed workers to bury the dead fish on the beaches. There was no official response to the incident or the reasons for the mass death of fish. However, the Department of Aquatic Biology under the University of Kerala ruled out the possibility of an algal bloom like the one off the Ramanathapuram coast last week that resulted in the death of marine organisms. Faculty member K. Padmakumar told The Hindu that there were no reports of discoloration of sea water that is typical of an algal bloom or red-tide phenomenon. The fish belong to the Balistidae family of triggerfish that is referred to as 'klaathi' in local parlance. "Though not inedible, the fish is not normally used for consumption because of its strong smell and tough skin that is hard to remove. Based on our interaction with fishermen, we presume that some trawlers had dumped their catch at sea after netting this particular species in large numbers. The dead fish would have been washed ashore," Dr. Padmakumar said. Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation State president T. Peter said 'klaathi' was common in the offshore areas during the season. "They are probably transported here by ocean currents. The disturbance caused by these currents could have disturbed the marine environment, leading to mass mortality of fish. There is also the possibility that trawlers had discarded their catch because the market value of this species is worth almost nothing" he said. Corporation Health Officer Sreekumar said the magnitude of the incident had given rise to apprehensions among the fishermen. "The beaches all along the coast from Pallithura to Poonthura were littered with dead fish since Thursday night. We have taken precautions to prevent a health hazard. The fish are being buried on the beach and workers have been directed to sprinkle bleaching powder in the trenches before filling them up with sand," he said. Dr. Sreekumar said fishermen returning from sea had reported seeing whole shoals of dead fish floating on the surface. "We expect more fish to be washed ashore over the next day," he said. Mayor C. Jayan Babu also visited the coastal areas to supervise the disposal of dead fish. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
