Do Not Surrender Sea and Shores to Sand Mining-Tourism Lobby: Seminar . . .

Thiruvananthapuram: Comrade Panniyan Ravindran, MP said that environment is an important issue in today’s life and that environment related issues should be taken up only after scientific analysis and considering the sustenance of those living in the coastal regions. He was inaugurating the workshop held at the Press Club Hall on the subject of ‘Coastal Zone Regulation Policy’. The important problem affecting us is that of the able exploiting resources. The able do have the influence as well know short-cuts. Through this, they are able to mine sand from the coastal regions. Everyone must be aware of the relationship between man and environment. We love the Nature. The Nature also helps us. We do not have the right to use it according to our liking. There is also a limit to the exploitation of Nature. However, certain groups, in total disregard of the limits of exploitation, are into hijacking the Nature. Because of this, the administrative machinery is forced to enter into a consensus. Discussions on issues like Coastal Zone Regulation are held in the Parliament on several occasions and decisions are also taken. There are groups amongst us who know contravening measures. These groups are endowed with money and have the capacity to influence the power centres. He opined that the scientific community and the labour organizations should overcome these and should come forward to bring about the development of the country with a social face.

Dr.R.V.G.Menon presided over the workshop conducted jointly by Kerala Shasthra Sahithya Parishad, Kerala Swathanthra Matysa Thozhilali Federation, Equations, Greens and Thanal. Dr.Baba, Director, Centre for Earth Studies made a presentation on the highlights of the M.S.Swaminathan Committee. The Project Consultant of UNDP Post Tsunami Environment Initiative Shri. Sudharshan Rodericks made a presentation of the review of the M.S.Swaminathan Committee Report. He noted that this report has not been discussed with the people and pointed out that the drawbacks in the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification have been repeated. Shri.Syed Ali Yakath who spoke thereafter pointed out that it was the strong intervention of the tourism lobby that was behind the numerous revisions in the Notification. He added that the principal agent of responsibility for this was the Ministry of Environment and that they are implementing processes that can harm democracy. The Chief Executive of South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies Shri.V.Vivekanandan opined that there was anxiety over the consequences as a result of the implementation of the Coastal Zone Regulation Policy and said that the yardstick of including more than 12 nautical miles of the sea in the Policy should be made clear. The Fisheries Joint Director Shri.D.Sanjeev Ghosh noted the need for coordination between various departments and said that the advice of the Government should also be sought before implementing the law. Dr.Madhusoonakurup, Cochin University opined that inspite of a powerful Coastal Zone Regulation Notification; the coastal regions cannot be protected. He added that the fish breeding zones should be earmarked

In the ensuing discussions, representatives of various organizations including Dr.Thomas Varghese, Shri.C.R.Neelakantan, Shri.Swaroop Roy, Shri.J.B.Rajan, Shri.C.Jayakumar, Shri.John.J.P, Ms.Friska Kurisippan, Shri.A.Andrews and Shri.V.V.Harilal participated.

It was decided to hold widespread discussions on the M.S.Swaminathan Committee Report of Coastal Zone Regulation Policy and to conduct awareness campaigns against surrendering sea and shores to the tourism-sand mining lobby and to impress upon the MPs and MLAs the importance of the issue. The workshop demanded that the State Government should make clear its stand on this issue. Shri.T.Peter (Kerala Swathanthra Matysa Thozhilali Federation) welcomed the gathering and Shri.Muraleedharan (Greens) proposed a vote of thanks.