Kerala Tourism should stop diverting Tsunami Rehabilitation fund. . . .

Thiruvananthapuram: 23/10/2008. Kerala Tourism Watch, Kerala Independent Fish workers Federation (KSMTF), United Fish Workers Forum and Janamunnettam urged Kerala Tourism to stop their diversion of tsunami fund for developing tourism infrastructure in the coast while affected communities are not getting sufficient support to restore their life and livelihood damaged by 2004 tsunami. The organizations pointed out that Kerala Tourism's fund diversion for tourism development is an injustice to affected communities who lost everything still living under fear.

Funds received for reconstructing and rebuilding the devastated lives and livelihood of tsunami affected communities are being used for develop tourism infrastructure in the coast by Kerala Tourism. They are just ignoring the protests and concerns raised by the coastal communities and local population.

For the post-tsunami rehabilitation the Central Government has granted 1441.75 Crore Rupees (14,417.5 million Indian Rupees) under Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) to the Kerala Government. Out of this 100 crore (1000 million) Rupees (around 7%) is set aside for the Kerala Tourism Department to fund 20 beach tourism projects covers the area which was not affected by tsunami.

The projects have been re-named as "Ente Theeram (My shore) – a Coastal Protection 'to soothe the protesters but still consists developing beach tourism facilities to attract tourists. Toilets, walkways, kiosks, lampposts, plumbing, electrical works, amphitheatre, police aid post and flower pots are among the activities to be constructed under the project.

T Peter, President of the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF – Kerala Independent Fish Workers Federation) said 'This is just old wine in new bottle. The tourism Minister had said earlier that tsunami funds being used by the department would be used for beautification of beaches as part of 22 coastal projects. After protests from the coastal communities now they are doing the same thing in a different name 'Coastal Protection' in 20 locations. This is clear diversion of Tsunami funds for projects that are not at all beneficial to the coastal communities'. They should not develop beach tourism at the expenses of affected communities. He is questioning the rationale of using tsunami funds for tourism projects. He pointed out that many of the projects will directly conflict with the needs and interests of tsunami-affected communities.

"Kerala Tourism has violated the guidelines issued by the Planning Commission. In the guidelines Planning Commission stated that the funds should be utilised only for rehabilitation of damaged beach resorts, roads, landscapes and tourist complexes. But the sites proposed by Kerala Tourism under TRP are not at all damaged by Tsunami" Sumesh Mangalassery of Kerala Tourism Watch and a member of a research group KABANI, the other direction said. Most of the projects proposed are violating the provisions of Coastal Regulation Notification (CRZ). Apparently, most of the projects fall in the 'No Development Zones' of the CRZ Sumesh added.

"How can amphi theatre, street lights, walkways, pathways, installing flower pots, landscaping, cast iron lamp post, seat, dustbin, pavilion, beach centre, police aid post protect coastal population and environment from disaster like tsunami? Kerala Tourism is insulting and fooling the affected communities while claiming these activities as coastal protection "Ajay, (Janamunnettam, a network of civil society organizations) pointed out.

"Meanwhile, the real tsunami affected areas such as Alappad and Arattupuzha remain in urgent need of funds to support post tsunami coastal protection and infrastructural repair. Sea erosion is an ongoing problem here. The planned coastal protection measures are yet to take place here and local people feel very vulnerable and are in constant fear of another disaster", said John kutty of United Fishermen Forum, Alappuzha.

"Construction of 500 meter long artificial reef in Kovalam by Kerala Tourism and Harbour Engineering Department for water skiing, swimming and fish breeding grounds used for sport fishing for tourists will put 500 fishermen out of work. The local fishermen already raised their concern over fact that waves deflected off the reef might cause increased erosion and infrastructural damage to neighboring fishing communities. But Kerala Tourism never had taken these concerns into account", T Peter added.

These organizations pointed out that the fact that Kerala Tourism recently started promoting itself as a 'Responsible Tourism' destination and formed destinations level committees in 4 destinations. According to Kerala Tourism's own responsible tourism guidelines, the destination level committee will act as a critical group of local stakeholders who will be involved in the discussion, planning and monitoring of all tourism activities in their locality. Despite these objectives, as well as the potential far-reaching consequences of the artificial reef project, Kovalam's DLRTC has not been consulted on this or any of the other beach beautification schemes planned for the area. This shows the fake credentials of 'Responsible Kerala Tourism'.

They urged Kerala Tourism for a detailed review of each tsunami project by a competent independent body with the participation of all concerned stakeholders. They asked governments to stop all the tourism projects by using tsunami money and all the project should adhere to TRP guidelines issued by Planning Commission. They demanded to explore opportunities for tsunami-affected communities to benefit from tourism beyond employment in menial, low paid roles.

The organizations pointed out that if government is ignoring these demands they will formulate and initiate strong protests and campaigns against the injustice of Kerala Tourism to tsunami affected communities in the state.