‘CRZ norms should not violate State's rights' http://www.thehindu.com/2010/11/07/stories/2010110760790300.htm
Staff Reporter KOCHI: Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma said here that the new Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms prescribed by the Union government should not violate the State's rights and that the Union government should discuss with the stakeholders all the issues involved before these recommendations are made into a law. The Minister raised this demand at a meeting of the leaders of the fishermen's unions held at the Government Guest House here on Saturday, said a press release here. The Minister also said that a Cabinet meeting on November 10 will discuss all issues related to the CRZ norms, which will affect the State as a whole and fishermen in particular, and submit a report to the Union government. The Minister said that no special economic zones should be allowed within the areas that come under Coatal Regulation Zone. The Minister said that areas within 12 nautical miles off the coast, which come under the State's rights, should not be brought under CRZ. Bringing this under CRZ would be a breach of the rights of the State under the Constitution. http://www.thehindu.com/2010/11/08/stories/2010110854980300.htm Fishermen reject draft CRZ notification Staff Reporter Say it does not protect their right to habitat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KSMTF apprises Union Minister of its stand ‘Conservation of eco-system inadequate' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KOLLAM: The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) has written to Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh stating that the fishing community in the State totally rejected the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2010. The letter was sent to the Union Minister on November 5. T. Peter, KSMTF State president, said the notification was rejected primarily on grounds that it did not protect “the inalienable rights of the fishing communities to their habitats and did not offer adequate protection to the coastal eco-system.” He said while the fishing communities had sought their rights to the coast, the notification gave only some concessions. They had not sought concessions, but their right to have settlements on the coast. The letter said up to 50 metres from the high tide level (HTL) of the CRZ area should be kept free of non-fishery activities. Houses of fishermen within that zone can be rehabilitated within the 50-metre to 500-metre zone. All existing houses of the fishing community within that zone should be regularised. The letter alleged that the notification violated the fundamental principles of coastal protection. There was no logic in permitting activities such as large housing projects, greenfield airports and power plants on the narrow 500-metre strip from the HTL in the CRZ area. In fact, the notification would only serve to displace the fishing communities from the CRZ areas. Activities that require waterfront and foreshore facilities can destroy the coast over time through cumulative impacts, Mr. Peter said in the letter. He said the special dispensation for Kerala in the notification was essentially to reduce the CRZ from 100 metres to 50 metres for the backwater islands. While this provision outwardly appeared to be one that facilitated the construction of houses for the local communities, it could also facilitate other construction activities for commercial purposes and in the process throw out the fishing communities. Therefore, the dispensation should be limited only to the local fishing communities. The letter stated that the fishing community was not in favour of the “integrated management plans” to govern critically vulnerable coastal areas. The KMSTF called for a draft Bill on the CRZ that protected the traditional rights and interests of the fishing community and also the coastal environment. http://www.keralafishworkers.in http://www.alakal.net -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an 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.
