The Battle for the BeachThe Battle for the Beach

V.VivekanandanV.Vivekanandan

Current battlesCurrent battles

•Koodankulam, JaitapurKoodankulam, Jaitapur

•Kutch Mundra Port and SEZKutch Mundra Port and SEZ

•Thermal power plants in TN, Andhra Thermal power plants in TN, Andhra GujaratGujarat

•Tourism projects in Kerala, GoaTourism projects in Kerala, Goa

•Port developmentPort development

•Urban effluentsUrban effluents

The Indian coast at a glanceThe Indian coast at a glance

•6000 km coastline—Mainland 6000 km coastline—Mainland

•1500 km coast line—Archipelagos 1500 km coast line—Archipelagos

•Major urban settlements on the coastMajor urban settlements on the coast

•3200 fishing villages3200 fishing villages

•Some farming villagesSome farming villages

Part I: Introducing fishing Part I: Introducing fishing communitiescommunities

Fishing communities in Indian Fishing communities in Indian SocietySociety• It has its origins in humankind’s hunter gatherer It has its origins in humankind’s hunter gatherer

stage of life—predates settled agriculturestage of life—predates settled agriculture• In India, marine fishing is practiced over centuries In India, marine fishing is practiced over centuries

over a 6000 km coast lineover a 6000 km coast line• It is a caste based occupation with around 3-4 It is a caste based occupation with around 3-4

castes specialising in marine fishing in each castes specialising in marine fishing in each maritime statemaritime state

• Marine fishing castes and their status in Indian Marine fishing castes and their status in Indian society—difference with agrarian castes and tribal society—difference with agrarian castes and tribal groupsgroups

• Self governing communities with strong traditional Self governing communities with strong traditional structures for internal governancestructures for internal governance

• Importance of markets, a community with great Importance of markets, a community with great adaptability to markets, hunter-gatherers adaptability to markets, hunter-gatherers integrated with global marketsintegrated with global markets

•50 years of fisheries development has 50 years of fisheries development has seen major changes in fishing with seen major changes in fishing with introduction of mechanisationintroduction of mechanisation

•Catch has increased from 0.5 million Catch has increased from 0.5 million tonnes to 3.2 million tonnes tonnes to 3.2 million tonnes

•Fishing has reached a saturation level Fishing has reached a saturation level in the productive coastal waters and in the productive coastal waters and shelfshelf

•Uneven growth and development with Uneven growth and development with some groups garnering a large share of some groups garnering a large share of the piethe pie

•Substantial increase in fisher population Substantial increase in fisher population due to population growth and entry of due to population growth and entry of new groups into fishing, especially in new groups into fishing, especially in mechanised sectormechanised sector

•Currently, a 5 million population of Currently, a 5 million population of spread out in a thin line close to the seaspread out in a thin line close to the sea

Part II: The fight for the Part II: The fight for the coastcoast

Coastal environment and Coastal environment and fishing communitiesfishing communities

• Coastal environment crucial for fishing Coastal environment crucial for fishing communitiescommunities

• It is the place where they live and depend It is the place where they live and depend on coastal space and resources for their lifeon coastal space and resources for their life

• It also contains resources and processes It also contains resources and processes that affect the marine eco-system and their that affect the marine eco-system and their livelihoodlivelihood

• Hence both life and livelihood of fishing Hence both life and livelihood of fishing communities depend on the health of the communities depend on the health of the coastcoast

Threats to coastal space and eco-Threats to coastal space and eco-systemsystem

• Gradual and incremental exploitation of the Gradual and incremental exploitation of the coast over a long timecoast over a long time

• Till recently, problems more associated Till recently, problems more associated with major cities on the coastwith major cities on the coast

• Now rapid economic growth—enormous Now rapid economic growth—enormous pressure on the coastal space and coastal pressure on the coastal space and coastal resourcesresources

• Pressures from industrialisation, port Pressures from industrialisation, port infrastructure, tourism, coastal infrastructure, tourism, coastal aquaculture, expansion of urban areas, aquaculture, expansion of urban areas, miningmining

• Inter-sectoral conflicts on the increaseInter-sectoral conflicts on the increase•The agri-sector—fisheries sector The agri-sector—fisheries sector

conflicts:conflicts:– Dams, irrigation schemesDams, irrigation schemes– River linking schemeRiver linking scheme– 30% reduction in nutrient flow to the sea 30% reduction in nutrient flow to the sea

due to dams in 50%due to dams in 50%

•Examples from Gujarat: Adani port, Examples from Gujarat: Adani port, Kalpasar projectKalpasar project

Shore protection related Shore protection related issuesissues

•Myth of the sea-wallMyth of the sea-wall

•Localised shore line protection and its Localised shore line protection and its limitationslimitations

•Need for macro level planning and Need for macro level planning and use of multiple measures use of multiple measures (engineering and non engineering) to (engineering and non engineering) to protect coastprotect coast

Fisherfolk on the coastFisherfolk on the coast

• CMFRI Census 2005CMFRI Census 2005• 3202 marine fishing villages3202 marine fishing villages• 900,000 sea going fishermen900,000 sea going fishermen• 750,000 fishing families 750,000 fishing families • 3.5 million fisherfolk population3.5 million fisherfolk population• 6000 km coastline—if one ignore islands6000 km coastline—if one ignore islands• If each village occupies 1 km of coastline, If each village occupies 1 km of coastline,

then over 3000 km of coastline occupied by then over 3000 km of coastline occupied by fishermen villages—over 50%fishermen villages—over 50%

The CRZThe CRZ

• CRZ notification intended to protect the CRZ notification intended to protect the coast, also protect interest of fishing coast, also protect interest of fishing community (as per original notification)community (as per original notification)

• Largely a failure due to lack of political will Largely a failure due to lack of political will and pressures from various vested interestsand pressures from various vested interests

• Absence of effective enforcement Absence of effective enforcement machinery, toothless coastal zone mgmt machinery, toothless coastal zone mgmt authoritiesauthorities

• Conflicts in CRZ regime and housing needs Conflicts in CRZ regime and housing needs of fishing communityof fishing community

Fishing community response to Fishing community response to CRZCRZ

• Other then environmental groups, only Other then environmental groups, only fishing community supports the CRZfishing community supports the CRZ

• CRZ creates problems for fishermen CRZ creates problems for fishermen housing and livelihood needs, yet is the housing and livelihood needs, yet is the only instrument of protection from outside only instrument of protection from outside interestsinterests

• Hence the National Fishworkers Forum Hence the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) has strongly supported CRZ(NFF) has strongly supported CRZ

• Has demanded implementation and made Has demanded implementation and made innumerable objections to violationsinnumerable objections to violations

Swaminathan CommitteeSwaminathan Committee• CRZ went through more than 20 CRZ went through more than 20

amendments—mostly to dilute regulationsamendments—mostly to dilute regulations• Courts threw out many of these Courts threw out many of these

amendments as done with “malafide” amendments as done with “malafide” intentions; some of these were based on intentions; some of these were based on committee reportscommittee reports

• Ministry of Environment and Forests was Ministry of Environment and Forests was desperately looking for a way outdesperately looking for a way out

• Constituted a committee under Constituted a committee under internationally well know scientist internationally well know scientist Dr.Swaminathan to review CRZDr.Swaminathan to review CRZ

• Committee report came after tsunamiCommittee report came after tsunami

From “regulation” to From “regulation” to “management”“management”

•The Swaminathan Committee The Swaminathan Committee completely changed the terms of completely changed the terms of discoursediscourse

• It proposed radical changes including:It proposed radical changes including:– Change from regulation to managementChange from regulation to management– Integrated coastal zone mgmt as basisIntegrated coastal zone mgmt as basis– Role for local bodies in planningRole for local bodies in planning– Vulnerability or hazard mapping and a Vulnerability or hazard mapping and a

line to delineate vulnerable areasline to delineate vulnerable areas

The CMZThe CMZ• Many of the committee ideas seemed Many of the committee ideas seemed

progressive but very few could understand the progressive but very few could understand the implications or the detailsimplications or the details

• MoEF subsequently drafted a new notification in MoEF subsequently drafted a new notification in 2006 based on Swaminathan Committee2006 based on Swaminathan Committee

• Got leaked out before publication and became Got leaked out before publication and became the basis for a furious civil society debatethe basis for a furious civil society debate

• While many inconsistencies and contradictions While many inconsistencies and contradictions in the committee reports raised apprehensions, in the committee reports raised apprehensions, the notification seemed to be even worsethe notification seemed to be even worse

The fishworker critique—the The fishworker critique—the processprocess

• Swaminathan committee was constituted Swaminathan committee was constituted with a view to push through changes not with a view to push through changes not acceptable to courts—using his credibility acceptable to courts—using his credibility as scientistas scientist

• Committee had many hearings and heard Committee had many hearings and heard all and sundry, except the largest all and sundry, except the largest stakeholders on the coast—fishermenstakeholders on the coast—fishermen

• Ministry of Agriculture involved in the Ministry of Agriculture involved in the processprocess

Fishworker critique—on Fishworker critique—on contentcontent• Abandoning regulations dangerous for coastAbandoning regulations dangerous for coast• Nothing sacrosanct even in CMZ-I; all it requires is Nothing sacrosanct even in CMZ-I; all it requires is

a management plana management plan• Opening up the coast for more investment—Opening up the coast for more investment—

increasing area for lower level of controls through increasing area for lower level of controls through CMZ-IICMZ-II

• Fishermen housing and other needs ignoredFishermen housing and other needs ignored• Set back line based on vulnerability will be used to Set back line based on vulnerability will be used to

push fishermen away from coastpush fishermen away from coast• But allow all other interests like industry and But allow all other interests like industry and

tourism to move in; set back line a set back for tourism to move in; set back line a set back for fishermenfishermen

Fishermen reactionsFishermen reactions• Various civil society organisations and the National Various civil society organisations and the National

Fishworkers Forum (NFF) got together in mid 2007 Fishworkers Forum (NFF) got together in mid 2007 to object to the “unofficial” notificationto object to the “unofficial” notification

• Rejection of CMZ and insistence on CRZ Rejection of CMZ and insistence on CRZ implementationimplementation

• Mid 2007 fishermen demonstrations in all coastal Mid 2007 fishermen demonstrations in all coastal states against CMZstates against CMZ

• Formation of National Coastal Protection Campaign Formation of National Coastal Protection Campaign (NCPC)—environmental groups and fishworker (NCPC)—environmental groups and fishworker organisationsorganisations

• Ministry denied the notification, and came out with Ministry denied the notification, and came out with a “concept note” in late 2007; organised a non a “concept note” in late 2007; organised a non representative consultation with fishing representative consultation with fishing communitiescommunities

• Ministry came out formally with draft notification in Ministry came out formally with draft notification in May 2008; 60 days given for objectionMay 2008; 60 days given for objection

The coastal marchThe coastal march• After detailed study and debate, NFF rejected After detailed study and debate, NFF rejected

notificationnotification• Launched national struggleLaunched national struggle• Coastal march from Gujarat to Bengal—May 1Coastal march from Gujarat to Bengal—May 1stst to to

June 30June 30thth

• 16 demands related to fishermen needs; however 16 demands related to fishermen needs; however withdrawal of CMZ was the key demandwithdrawal of CMZ was the key demand

• Massive response across the coast; media and Massive response across the coast; media and political attention; many state govts support standpolitical attention; many state govts support stand

• 500 representatives conduct “indefinite” strike in 500 representatives conduct “indefinite” strike in Delhi in October 2008Delhi in October 2008

• Central Govt agrees to sympathetically consider Central Govt agrees to sympathetically consider many demandsmany demands

• Agreed to consult with fishing community on CMZAgreed to consult with fishing community on CMZ

CMZ in limboCMZ in limbo• Ministry asked Centre for Environment Education Ministry asked Centre for Environment Education

(CEE)—NGO linked to ministry—to organise (CEE)—NGO linked to ministry—to organise fisherfolk consultations across the coastfisherfolk consultations across the coast

• Despite some reservations, most fishworker Despite some reservations, most fishworker groups and NGOs participated in consultationsgroups and NGOs participated in consultations

• Strong opposition to CMZ recorded in hearingsStrong opposition to CMZ recorded in hearings• 9000 letters reached Ministry in protest9000 letters reached Ministry in protest• Parliamentary committee on Science and Parliamentary committee on Science and

Technology also held hearingsTechnology also held hearings• CMZ shelved for the time being; will lapse in May CMZ shelved for the time being; will lapse in May

during electionsduring elections• Will depend on new Govt at Centre, but Ministry Will depend on new Govt at Centre, but Ministry

will definitely revive the ideawill definitely revive the idea

The alternativeThe alternative

•NFF and NCPC working on alternative NFF and NCPC working on alternative proposal to CMZproposal to CMZ

• Inspired by Forest Rights Bill which Inspired by Forest Rights Bill which recognises rights of tribes and long recognises rights of tribes and long term forest dwellersterm forest dwellers

• Idea of a “coastal rights” Bill; claim of Idea of a “coastal rights” Bill; claim of a coastal homelanda coastal homeland

The two main objectivesThe two main objectives

• Protection of the coastal spaces that Protection of the coastal spaces that marine fisherfolk need to live and pursue marine fisherfolk need to live and pursue their livelihood and practice their culturetheir livelihood and practice their culture

• Protection of the coastal eco-system so that Protection of the coastal eco-system so that it can sustain both life and livelihood of the it can sustain both life and livelihood of the fishing communitiesfishing communities

• Both objectives are linked. One without the Both objectives are linked. One without the other is not good enough for the other is not good enough for the sustenance of the fishing communitiessustenance of the fishing communities

Protecting Coastal SpacesProtecting Coastal Spaces

Need of coastal spacesNeed of coastal spaces

•Four needs are identifiedFour needs are identified– Common spaces for fishing livelihoodCommon spaces for fishing livelihood– Spaces for support facilitiesSpaces for support facilities– Residential spaceResidential space– Space for cultural needsSpace for cultural needs

Common livelihood spacesCommon livelihood spaces

• These are in the nature of common These are in the nature of common propertyproperty– Beach or creek side to park/berth boatsBeach or creek side to park/berth boats– Auction/sale of fishAuction/sale of fish– Fish dryingFish drying– Mending nets, repairing boatsMending nets, repairing boats

• In places like Kutch or Bengal, the seasonal In places like Kutch or Bengal, the seasonal places of stay for fishing should also be places of stay for fishing should also be seen as an essential livelihood requirementseen as an essential livelihood requirement

Spaces of support facilitiesSpaces of support facilities

•These may also be in the nature of These may also be in the nature of private propertyprivate property– Ice plants & cold storageIce plants & cold storage– Dry fish storage/godownsDry fish storage/godowns– Marketing shedsMarketing sheds– Boat building or repair centresBoat building or repair centres– Motor service centresMotor service centres

Residential spacesResidential spaces

• Two broad scenarios for fishing hamletsTwo broad scenarios for fishing hamlets– Hamlets right near the sea and fishermen going Hamlets right near the sea and fishermen going

to sea from their homesto sea from their homes– Hamlets far away from sea with beach or sea Hamlets far away from sea with beach or sea

side used for livelihoods only or for seasonal side used for livelihoods only or for seasonal camp-sites using temporary structures for camp-sites using temporary structures for accommodationaccommodation

• Both spaces should be protectedBoth spaces should be protected

Cultural needsCultural needs

•Temple/Mosque/ChurchTemple/Mosque/Church

•Kalyana MandapamKalyana Mandapam

•Community HallCommunity Hall

•Play grounds/recreation spacesPlay grounds/recreation spaces

•Burial/cremation groundsBurial/cremation grounds

Some propositionsSome propositions

• Sensitive and essential eco-systems to get high Sensitive and essential eco-systems to get high level of protection (“holy cow” status)level of protection (“holy cow” status)

• 500 m buffer zone in rural areas outside 500 m buffer zone in rural areas outside designated “fishing zones”designated “fishing zones”

• Smaller buffer zone in urban areasSmaller buffer zone in urban areas• Construction and activities along coast for non Construction and activities along coast for non

fishing purposes will be subject to two criteriafishing purposes will be subject to two criteria– How essential to be located on the coast?How essential to be located on the coast?– Can the coastal eco-system bear that activity?Can the coastal eco-system bear that activity?

• Tough measures to control pollution of coastal Tough measures to control pollution of coastal zone and seazone and sea

Monitoring, EnforcementMonitoring, Enforcement

• Clear mechanism for monitoring and enforcementClear mechanism for monitoring and enforcement• CZMAs to be revamped and given powers and CZMAs to be revamped and given powers and

machinery; wider participation including fishing machinery; wider participation including fishing community representationcommunity representation

• Local “vigilance committees” to support CZMALocal “vigilance committees” to support CZMA• Strong punishment for violation—high fines in Strong punishment for violation—high fines in

addition to demolitionaddition to demolition• Strong punishment for eco-system destruction and Strong punishment for eco-system destruction and

pollution—fine and imprisonmentpollution—fine and imprisonment• Eco-system destruction for commercial benefit to Eco-system destruction for commercial benefit to

be treated as “crime against humanity”be treated as “crime against humanity”• Compensation for loss of fishing due to destruction Compensation for loss of fishing due to destruction

of habitat and pollutionof habitat and pollution

What about vulnerability line What about vulnerability line and integrated coastal zone and integrated coastal zone plans?plans?• Vulnerability line(s) could be drawn to Vulnerability line(s) could be drawn to

provide all coastal communities with provide all coastal communities with information on risksinformation on risks

• Management plans could be drawn up for Management plans could be drawn up for long term risk reduction by local bodieslong term risk reduction by local bodies

• Guidelines on coastal protection needs to Guidelines on coastal protection needs to be drawn up to avoid excessive use of be drawn up to avoid excessive use of “hard” options like sea walls“hard” options like sea walls

• ““soft protection” options also require soft protection” options also require guidelines and regulations given social and guidelines and regulations given social and ecological problems that can ariseecological problems that can arise

““Fishermen the most endangered Fishermen the most endangered species”species”

Harekrishna DebnathHarekrishna DebnathChairpersonChairperson

National Fishworkers ForumNational Fishworkers Forum

ThanksThanks