From: T Peter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Peoples Convention against CZM Alappuzha, 11th May 2008 A peoples convention held at Arthunkal, Alappuzha dt. Kerala had declared united uncompromising struggle against the proposed CZM notification by Govt.Of India which will drive away traditional fish workers from their livelihood. The convention was organized as part of the district conference of AITUC. The function was presisded over by Com. T.J. Anjalose, EX-MP and leader of AITUC. Com. Anjalose expressed concern over the move by the Central govt.to implement the recommendations of Swaminathan committee report unilaterally even without a discussion in the parliament. Mr. C.R. Neelakandan, social activist, had explained that this move is to help the national and international capital which is eager to invade our sea and coast for tourism, mining of mineral sand etc. Any of the previous governments could not implement the existing Coastal Regulation Zone Act properly and it was amended 19 times and all these amendments were for the investors and not for the traditional fishworkers. This is because all our governments, irrespective of parties, are competing each other to be more Investor Friendly. Goverments could not rectify the damages caused to the southern coast by the existing Cochin Port . But now they are dredging the port to increase its depth by 25 meters more for the Vallarpadom International Container Terminal without any Environmental Impact Assessment. This project is fully owned by a Multinational firm. Mr. T. Peter, president KSMTF had explained that the new notification is not at all mentioning about the traditional fish workers who are the real owners of the coast from time immemorial. Now they are driven away to facilitate the capitalist to control the coast. He criticizes the constitution of M.S Swaminathan committee which had no representatives from the fishing community. The decision to hand over the powers to draw the vulnerability line to the local bodies will be detrimental to the long term interests of the fisher people, he said. He also expressed concern in the move to define CZM area upto 12 nautical mile into the sea. This is to facilitate the project for sea sand mining proposed during the Global Investors Meet by the earlier UDF government. Com. K. S Manoj, MP had promised the convention that he will initiate immediate action to coordinate among MPs various parties to raise the issue in Parliament. He informed that he had alraedy talked to MPs from Pondichery and Karwar in this regared. Many peoples organizations like Solidarity Youth Movement., Kerala Latin Catholic Association and trade unions like CITU and AITUC are already in the forfront to fight against this move. Fr. Stephen M. Punnakkal, Aboobacker, R. Prasad, K.T.Vincent and other leaders of AITUC spoke in the convention --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to greenyouth@googlegroups.com 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
