Fish workers to observe protest day on October 29

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/09/29/stories/2010092955720300.htm

Staff Reporter

Agitation against Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2010
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Mass conventions planned on November 21

Plea to increase kerosene quota for fish workers

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KOLLAM: Fish workers across the country are gearing up to launch
strong agitations demanding the withdrawal of the Coastal Regulation
Zone Notification 2010 issued recently by the Union Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF), Kerala Swathantra Matsyathozhilali
Federation State president T. Peter has said.

At a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Peter said the decisions in
this connection was taken at a meeting of the National Fish workers'
Forum (NFF) in Chennai on September 25 and 26.

October 29 will be a ‘protest day.' There will be mass conventions on
World Fishermen Day on November 21. On October 1,5 the NFF will submit
petitions and suggestions about the notification to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and leaders of other
political parties.

Prior to issuing the notification, ten consultations were held across
the country to obtain the views of the fishing community and other
communities living along the coast. But the notifications do not
reflect the opinions expressed, Mr. Peter said.

Demands

The notification seemed to totally ignore the long-standing demand of
fishing communities for their ‘right to live along the coast.'

According to the notification, 12 nautical miles of sea will come
under the MoEF and not the Union Ministry for Agriculture. This will
prove harmful to the fishing community. The notification neither
protects the fishing community nor the coastal environment, he said.

Mr. Peter called for an increase in the kerosene quota to fishermen.

Under the present quota, fishermen end up paying more for fuel than
what they earn from fishing. In order to protect the traditional
fishing sector more kerosene at fair price should be allocated.

He suggested the setting up of kerosene bunks under government control.

Federation general secretary P.P. John, Kollam district president S.
Francis and secretary A. Andrews were also present.

http://www.keralafishworkers.in
http://www.alakal.net

River Siqueri with tidal influence in the midlands at Siqueri, Bicholim. Mining in its vicinity has negatively affected the marine life. River is suffering from high turbidity due to mining silt washed into the river. Mining dumps are seen in the background.

Mandovi injured by mining companies' loading points

In a case of violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Mandovi river is perturbed by around 40 loading points on its banks. Miners use this river as a medium of transportation of Ore towards Marmagoa Harbour for export purpose. This Picture is from Kathombi, Bicholim.

Iron Ore stocked on banks of Mandovi in Sattari

Another case of violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) as Huge quantity of Iron Ore is stored and covered under blue plastic material on the banks of Mandovi at Vagurme village in Sattari Taluka.

Vedanta's violation of CRZ

This Pig Iron Ore plant on the banks of Mandovi River at Amona, Bicholim is giant violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). This was brought to the notice of Union Minister of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh when he visited Goa for the conduct of Public Hearing on CRZ on August 30, 3009. He on the spot publicly directed Goa State government to set up Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority within 24 hours and take cognizance of this violation and other like like this. It is not yet know if the State government has complied with the directives of the Union Minister.

Sebastian Rodrigues

CRZ and mining issues are linked, says Gauns

To make case before Union Minister

PANJIM, AUG 29

While residents from 8,500 dwellings affected by the CRZ notification are waiting to pour their cup of woes at a meeting in Verna on Sunday, award winning teacher and a strong anti-mining proponent Ramesh Gauns will make a presentation before the Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh to impress upon him that mining and CRZ issues were interlinked.

Gauns, who addressed a press conference on Saturday, said rivers, Zuari and Mandovi that have several loading points for iron ore have been facing indiscriminate dumping of ore over the years as a result of which both have got silted.

He maintained in Goa the tidal amplitude remains unchanged over a distance of about 40 km from the mouth of the river and runs into the hinterlands of the State. CRZ is applicable upto this distance and as per the notification barges dumping ore into the rivers were violating environmental norms, he stated.

Gauns said he has been given a time limit of 10 minutes to do his presentation tomorrow at the meeting where Jairam would be present. I will try my best to put this point forward, he mentioned.Further reinforcing his point he presented the Sarvan mine case in Bicholim, the only mining lease in Goa that existed on the flood-prone Bicholim River.

“The mine was not operated continuously for 20 years. Therefore, the lease should have been automatically terminated by the State Government as per the Minerals Concession Rules 1960,” he asserted. Gauns had petitioned the Delhi High Court against the order of the National Environment Appellate Authority that had dismissed his appeal against the mine. The HC directed NEAA to rehear the matter, which will come up on September 1.

He said in 1997 TERI had submitted in its report that mining companies were not following good environmental practices in Goa. If in 1997 the situation was such I can assertively say it is worse now, he maintained.

MINING POLICY: Gauns said the draft mineral policy of the State was all for the mining companies. I have analysed it and data availed by me talks of a huge number of mines, as many as over 825 mines, he added. He observed there was a total mismatch of figures as far as mining was concerned. “As per my study there are around 200 mines in operation, but the assembly reply states out of the 336 mining concession leases 163 have been given environmental clearances,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) charged that the Ministry of Environment and Forest of lavishly granting environmental clearances to mining companies in Goa.

Convenor GOAMAP Sebastian Rodrigues, who also addressed the press, demanded for cancellation of all the environmental clearances and maintain Goa’s fading countryside from the exploits of mining.

Herald August 30 2009, Panjim

Are Loading point not violate CRZ laws?

Scores of loading points on the banks of Mandovi and Zuari rivers don't violate CRZ rules?

Sebastian Rodrigues

Pez alliance mooted

The people of Colomb Village, Sanguem District live a peaceful life in the pristine forests in Goa bordering Karnataka. This album is a glimpse into their everyday life.

It also shows the location of an all group meeting at Nuem, Khola in Canacona Taluka in South Goa comprising representatives from various villages, who are having to bear the direct brunt of the neo-liberal onslaught of mining industries, Real Estates, SEZs (Special Economic Zones) and CRZs (Coastal Regulation Zones).

The meeting was held at a chapel in the village with Father Henry initiating the proceedings. As a result of the brainstorming on the idea of working together and finding common ground for a united peoples' resistance on the one hand and Panchayat, state government and industrialists on the other, it was decided that 14th November (Children's Day) would be held as a day for mass protests by children - The Black Day.

Also the idea of forming alliances with various groups working on various issues was deliberated. One possible name suggested is Pez alliance. Pez is traditional staple diet of People in Goa. It is also called Canji, Nivol etc and it is prepared with rice and water. Various people connected with Ganv Ghor Rakhan Manch (GGRM), Gawda, Kunbi, Velip Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED), SEZ Watch, Goa Federtion of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) were present.

Click here for the photo album by Shaweta Anand of SADED-CSDS, Delhi, India