Fishermen and activists demand withdrawal of Karaikal coastal management plan
The CPI(M) and other groups allege the draft plan omits sand dunes and traditional fishing grounds, threatening local livelihoods.
Environmentalists and political parties have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for Karaikal, according to The New Indian Express. They also called for the cancellation of a public hearing scheduled for November 25.
CPI(M) Puducherry State Secretary S Ramachandran said the draft plan, released by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, was an attempt to impose a flawed plan on the people. He claimed the Forest Department's data contains errors and that the latest draft omitted over 100 acres of sand dunes.
Ramachandran further alleged that omissions in the coastal maps called into question the existence of traditional fishing villages such as Karaikalmedu and Kilinjalmedu. The CPI(M) claimed the move could benefit corporate interests, linking the omissions to the proposed expansion of the Adani port and offshore oil well plans.
Researcher Prabhakar Jayaprakash raised concerns regarding the inclusion of traditional fishing areas under the Tourism Department's control. He noted that areas in Keezhakasakudy and Kilinjalmedu, where communities practice shore-seine fishing, were being brought under the Tourism Department's influence.
R Mangaiyarselvan of Tamil Fishermen Liberation Panthers said the plan recognised only 0.56 square nautical miles as fishing areas, despite fishermen traditionally operating across 139.72 square nautical miles. He demanded the plan include traditional coastal rights and provisions for future housing schemes.