Draft coastal regulation threatens fishermen

New Delhi's two months time for feedback on its draft Coastal Management Zone notification expired on 8 July. Activists say the proposed law will make way for beach-front villas and water-front recreation parks and do little to protect the rights of fisherfolk and the environment. Krithika Ramalingam reports. 9 July 2008 - Sun-kissed beaches that will bring in tourist money and acres of sand free of fishermen: that's the vision of successive governments for the Marina and its adjacent beaches in Chennai. When repeated efforts to relocate fishermen failed thanks to resistance, the Tamilnadu government is turning to a proposed notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry that is purportedly meant to protect the rights of fishermen. At least that is how the fisherfolk of the 10 villages from Nochikuppam to... [read full story]