Coastal regulations must be strengthened: Fishermen leaders

Coastal regulations must be strengthened: Fishermen leaders

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 15: Fishermen leaders stressed the need for strong legislation to curb violation of coastal regulation by industrialists at an informal discussion held on Saturday in a bid to strengthen Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991. In fact, a full-fledged public consultation was to have been conducted, but was postponed to Feb 27 because of the bandh. 

Vasudev Boloor, the secretary of the National Fish Workers Forum, said that original notification, which fully protected the interests of the fishermen, lost its value owing to frequent amendments. The notification now has several flaws and benefits only powerful industrialists. Fishermen leaders gave the example of star hotels in Murudeshwar, which were constructed right in the sea in total violation of the original notification. 

Gangadhar, the member of the DK Mogaveera Sangha, said that fishermen have been denied access to the sea because of industrial activities. Umesh Uchchila, a fisherman, alleged that powerful industrialists were inducing the farmers to vacate the coast, as a result of which it has become the hub of large bungalows and mega projects.

B A Mohammed Ali, the advocate, called this a conspiracy to drive fishermen away from the coast areas so that the rich and the powerful can make money. Advocate Satish Bhat voiced his opinion that the coast was not the exclusive property of the fishermen. Two fishermen objected to this statement and said that fishermen should be granted their right to livelihood.