Statement: Oppose backdoor changes to coastal regulation norms!

Updated: 2st July 2009 with Media Release and List of signatories

As you might be aware, the ten-month period that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had given itself to vet public comments received on the Draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) 2008 Notification comes to an end in June. This Draft, based on the recommendations of the much-criticized Swaminathan Committee Report, was an attempt to dismantle existing coastal regulation and open up coastal regions for fast-paced, destructive economic development. It was opposed not only by coastal communities, environmental groups, women’s organizations, trade unions, NGOs but also by several coastal state governments. The most recent caution against introducing such a coastal management regime came in March 2009 from a high-powered Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Minister, Jairam Ramesh has announced that on July 16 a fresh ‘hybrid’ rule will be issued that will combine existing rules with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report. A statement to this effect is given below which we urge you to endorse. Send your Organisational endorsements to peter.ksmtf@gmail.com within 20th June

Save the Coasts!! Oppose backdoor changes to coastal regulation norms!

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the planned move of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), as recently reported in the press, to introduce by July 16, a new, ‘hybrid’ set of coastal regulatory rules which will combine existing regulation and new rules based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. This is completely unacceptable and we are outraged by what appears to be a brazen attempt by the MoEF to introduce through the backdoor, pro-industry and anti-people coastal reforms that are being bitterly opposed by fishing and other coastal communities, environmental organizations, women’s organizations, trade unions and NGOs.

The report of the Swaminathan Committee had recommended that existing coastal regulation be dismantled and the coasts opened up to allow a wide range of economic activities; that ‘no-development zone’ restrictions be lifted in sensitive core areas and that the coastal zone be extended up to 12 nautical miles into the sea to make way for Notified Tourism Areas, Special Economic Zones, mining projects, industrial estates, power plants, ports and harbours. The report was rejected by the people who saw it as facilitating the illegal takeover of coastal land from the poor. It was an attempt to clear the path for unchecked coastal commercialization that did not hesitate to put 10 million fisher people in harm’s way; to destroy fragile and life-sustaining coastal ecosystems, and to significantly increase the potential for global warming and climate change through opening up coastal land for grabs.

The irresponsible and scheming recommendations subsequently formed the basis of a Draft Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) 2008 Notification to which objections were invited in May 2008. Several coastal state governments opposed the draft. It was opposed by fishing communities, environmental organizations, women’s organizations, trade unions and NGOs in every coastal state. The recent report submitted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment and Forests clearly recommends that the CMZ 2008 Notification be kept in abeyance. The Parliamentary Panel criticized the Government’s attempt to bring new coastal legislation through an undemocratic and non-participatory process. It has urged the Government to ensure the “inclusion and integration of coastal communities through participative, decision making and control instruments”.

The MoEF statement however indicates that while the CMZ 2008 Notification will be kept pending, the existing 1991 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification to be issued on July 16 will now include the highly objectionable Swaminathan Committee recommendations. This is nothing but bringing the CMZ Notification through the backdoor! Was the public engagement on the issue no more than mere eyewash to manage dissent? We strongly condemn this underhand move of the newly formed UPA Government!

Reworking coastal rules to accommodate neo-liberal policies will endanger both the coasts and the lives of 250 million coastal dwellers, including 10 million fisher people. Fisher women, whose main activities are shoreline-based, are already suffering due to violations of existing norms which have allowed exploitative economic activities, like mining, tourism and hazardous industries to mushroom in coastal areas. Fisher women are aware that if coastal policy is amended to legitimize full-scale liberalization, they will have to bear the brunt of the resulting livelihood insecurity, coastal erosion, unavailability of basic services, cultural disintegration as well as increased sexual exploitation.

No change to coastal legislation can take place without proper consultations with fishing populations, including women; complete consensus from all coastal states; proper parliamentary discussion and national debate. We therefore reiterate that the only way forward is to:

1. Scrap any moves towards introducing the CMZ 2008 Notification
2. Reject the Swaminathan Committee report recommendations
3. Implement the 1991 CRZ Notification in its original form
4. Immediately identify and punish violations of the original 1991 CRZ Notification
5. Immediately recognize and uphold the traditional and customary rights of fisher people to housing, coastal lands as well as sea and marine resources.

Endorsed by

1. Aastha Sansthan, Udaipur
2. Adishakti Lokbikash Sangthan, Patrapur, Gajpati, Orissa
3. Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan Mayurbhanj, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
4. Adivasi Banvasi Kalyan Samiti, Sonbhadra
5. Adivasi Bikash Parisad, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
6. Adivasi Chetona Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
7. Adivasi Dalit Adhikar Abhijan Manch, Pallahara, Anugul, Orissa
8. Adivasi Jan Van Adhikar Manch, Chattisgarh
9. Adivasi Solidarity Council (South India), Tamil Nadu
10. Adiwasi Samta Manch Kankwe-East, Bastar
11. Alter Media, Trichur
12. Anchalik Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Orissa
13. Anchalik Jungle Surakshya Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
14. Anchalika Adivasi Unnayan Parishad, Hindol, Dhenkanal, Orissa
15. Ancholia Unnayan Parishad, Phiringia, Kandhamal, Orissa
16. Ancholiko Unnayan Sangh, Dasmonthpur, Koraput, Orissa
17. Ancholiko Vikas Parisad, Pottangi, Koraput, Orissa
18. ANHAD ( Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), New Delhi
19. Anthra, Hyderabad and Pune
20. Antyodaya Chetana Mandal (ACM), Orissa
21. Apda Nivarak Manch Jalaun
22. B.K.S. Moodigeri Karnataka
23. Bada Emam Bada, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh
24. Badlav Sansthan, Udaipur
25. BAGHICHA
26. Balmianni Kutomi, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
27. Basel Mission Christian Association, Bangalore,
28. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal
29. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal
30. Bhopal Group for Information & Action
31. binayaksen.net
32. Breakthrough Appropriate Technology Transfer Network (BATNET), Orissa
33. Budakattu Krishikara Sangha (B.K.S.) Karnataka
34. Center for Social Initiatives, Gorakhpur
35. Centre for Education and Documentation
36. Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), Imphal, Manipur 
37. Centre for Research on New International Economic Order (CReNIEO), Tamilnadu and Orissa
38. Chetana Sansthan,  Rajgarh,Alwar
39. CIEDS Collective, Bengaluru
40. Coastal community development  society
41. Coastal development Forum- Alappuzha
42. Coastal Women’s Movement
43. Community Environmental Monitoring, Chennai
44. Coorg Organisation For Rural Development (CORD)
45. Corporate Accountability Desk of The Other Media, Chennai
46. Council of Professional Social Workers (CPSW), Orissa
47. Dabco, Madhya Pradesh
48. DEED, Hunsur
49. Delhi Forum
50. Deo-mali Mahila Sangh, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
51. Dialogue from the Other End, Chattisgarh
52. Disha Samaj Sevi Sanstha, Chattisgarh
53. East Coast Research and Development, Thoothukudi, Tamil nadu
54. Electro – Homeopathy Medical Association of India, Allahabad
55. Environment Support Group, Bangalore
56. Equations, Bangalore
57. Focus on Global South, India
58. Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai.
59. Forum Kerala
60. Foundation for Nature Exploration and Environmental Conservation, Bangalore
61. Free Binayak Sen Campaign
62. FRIENDS, Varanasi
63. Gana Chetana Sangthan, Rasgovindpur, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
64. Ganglamaa Vikash Manch, Korkunda, Malkangiri, Orissa
65. Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh
66. Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan(Mumbai)
67. Gram Sahajog, Kalahandi, Orissa
68. Gram Vikas (GV), Orissa
69. Gramanchal Bikash Parisad, Anugul, Keonjhar, Orissa
70. Green Alternatives
71. Greenpeace India
72. Greenpeace, India
73. Himal Watch, Uttarakhand
74. Ho Munda Bhasa Bikash Manch, Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
75. IDSL, Begumganj, Madhya Pradesh
76. Indian Social Action Forum – INSAF, Delhi
77. Indian Social Institute, New Delhi
78. INSAF, New Delhi
79. Integrated Rural Development of Weaker Sections in India (IRDWSI), Orissa
80. Intercultural Resources, Delhi
81. International Collective for the support of Fishworkers, Chennai
82. International Institute of Art, Culture & Democracy, Bangalore
83. Jagran Jan vikas , Udaipur, Rajasthan.
84. Jahar Surkshya Manch, Rasgovindpur, Kaptipada, Orissa
85. JAN CHETANA, Raigarh, Chhathisgarh
86. Jenamunnettom-Kerala
87. Jharkhnd Jengal Bechavo Antholan
88. Jungle Jivan Surakshya Parisad, Umarkote, Nawarangpur, Orissa
89. KABANI The Other Direction, Kerala
90. Kalpavriksh
91. Kancheepuram District Fisher People Rights Movement
92. Karnataka Social Forum, Bangaluru
93. Kasti Dakua Adivasi Mohasangha, Nuagaon, Nayagarh, Orissa
94. Kenneth Anderson Nature Society
95. Kerala Swatantra Malsya Thozhilaly Federation (KSMTF)
96. Kerala Theeradesa Mahilavedi
97. Kerala Tourism Watch
98. Keraleeyam Magazine, Trichur
99. Kheti Virasat Mission, Punjab.
100. Kindernothilfe, Bangalore
101. Kisan Morcha, Bikaner
102. Kuvi Kulomi, Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
103. LABIA/ Stree Sangam, Mumbai
104. Loko Unnayan Sangh (LUS), Semiliguda, Koraput, Orissa
105. Madhuban Sewa Samiti, Fatehpur
106. Madurai Multipurpose Social Service Society, Madurai
107. Mahendragiri Adivasi Adhikar Samiti, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
108. Mahila Evam Bal Kalyan Sewa Samiti, Deoria
109. Malabar Theeradesa Mahila Federation
110. Malaygiri Bikash Manch, Anugul, Keonjhar, , Orissa
111. Malwarmir, Indore
112. Maru Women SHG federation, Bikaner
113. Meenava Viduthalai Vengaiakal
114. Mewat Community Foundation, Alwar
115. Mewat Vikas Shiksha Samiti, Rajasthan
116. MMSVS, Alwar
117. Moving Republic, Bangalore
118. Mukti Sanghthan, Dhenkanal, Orissa
119. Munigiri Gana Sangthan, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
120. Nagarik Mancha, West Bengal
121. Nagrik Kalyan Samity, Jharkhnd
122. Nari Bikash-Women Organisation, Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa
123. Narmada Bachao Andolan
124. National Adivasi Alliance
125. National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights
126. National Coastal Women’s Movement
127. National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers
128. National Society of Friends of the Trees, Pune
129. National Union of Fishermen
130. New Socialist Alternative
131. New Trade Union Initiative
132. Niyamgiri Surkshya Manch, Kalahandi, Orissa
133. Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Abhijan, Orissa
134. Open Space & SUPPORT, Bangalore
135. Openspace, Bangalore
136. PAD Vambar Tamilnadu
137. Pahadi Sangrami Manch, Kandhamal, Orissa
138. Paryavaran Mitra, Ahmedabad
139. Pathabhedam Magazine, Calicut
140. PEACE, New Delhi
141. People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM), Orissa
142. People’s Institute for Participatory Action Research (PIPAR), Orissa
143. Peoples Movement against Nuclear Energy, Tamil nadu
144. Pondichery State Fishworkers forum
145. Praktik Paryavaran Sarvardhan Samiti, Jaipur
146. Presentation Sisters Lismore, Australia
147. Project level committee, Rayagada, Gajpati, Orissa
148. PUCL, Balia
149. Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC), Orissa
150. RIGHTS Kerala
151. River Basin Friends, Assam
152. Rural Action for Development (RAD), Orissa
153. Rusimal Anchalik Unnayan Parishad, Daringbadi, Kondhmal, Orissa
154. Sahaya, Kandhamal, Orissa
155. Saheli, New Delhi
156. SAIACS, CED Centre, Bangalore
157. Sajukodi Dhorti Surkhya Porisod, Semiliguda, Koraput, , Orissa
158. Samajika Parivartana Vikas Kendra (SPVK), Orissa
159. Samajika Vikas Kendram (SVK), Orissa
160. Samruddhi Kanakapura Karnataka.
161. Samudayik Vikas Sansthan, Barabanki
162. Sanmathi, Bangalore
163. Sarvangeen Gramin Vikas Prashikshan Samiti, Mubarakpur, Gazipur
164. Saura Adivasi Ahikar Abhijan, Nuagada, Gajpati, Orissa
165. Seba Jagat Orissa
166. SEBAJAGAT (Orissa)
167. Seva Bharati (SB), Orissa
168. Shakti Sangthan (The women member’s organisation), Dhenkanal, Orissa
169. Shremasakthi  Job Training &Research Centre, Trivandrum
170. Social Action Group for Achievement of Right (SAGAR), Jaunpur
171. Social Scientist, Hyderabad
172. Social Work Department, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore
173. Society for Leprosy Amelioration and Rehabilitation (SOLAR), Orissa
174. Socio-Economic Development Programme (SEDP), Orissa and WB
175. Solidarity Youth Movement- Kerala
176. South Asian Dialogues on Ecological Democracy ( SADED)
177. South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education & Monitoring (SICHREM)
178. South India Fisher People Welfare Society
179. Tagore Society for Rural Development (TSRD), Orissa and WB
180. Tamilnadu Coastal Protection Movement
181. Tamil Nadu Environment Council (TNEC)
182. Tamilnadu Fisher People Development Society
183. Tamilnadu Pondy Fisher people Federation
184. TEED Trust Yellapur Karnataka
185. Third Eye Communication, Cochin
186. Third World Network , New Delhi
187. Tirunelveli District Fisher People Coordination Committee
188. Trust for Environmental Education
189. United Artists Association (UAA), Orissa
190. United Evangelical Mission, Kallor, Nagapattinam, TN
191. Uvi Bdayu , Bandhugaon, Koraput, Orissa
192. Vasundhara, Orissa
193. Vettiver Collective, Chennai
194. Vimochana, Bangalore
195. Visthar, Bangalore
196. Visual Search, Bangalore
197. WaterWatch Alliance, New Delhi
198. Yakshi, Hyderabad
199. YMCA, Bangalore.
200. Zailaitmu, Tumdibandh, Kotagarh, Kandhamal, , Orissa

MEDIA RELEASE: 2 July 2009, New Delhi

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ENVIRONMENT MINISTER URGED TO RECONSIDER DILUTION OF COASTAL LAWS
*****

New Delhi: At a time when Minister Jairam Ramesh is settling into his new Environment portfolio with some unease, over 200 groups from across the country have issued an open letter demanding that his backdoor attempts to bring in a ‘hybrid’ set of de-regulatory rules for India’s coastal areas be dropped.

The groups have warned that the revision of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines into a Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) would open the floodgates for industrial estates, power plants, ports, harbours and tourism projects. The letter further warns that such re-working of coastal rules to accommodate the interests of big business will endanger both the coasts and the lives of 250 million coastal dwellers, including 10 million fisher people.

The CMZ notification is the result of recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Committee set up (in July 2004) with the mandate to suggest an appropriate framework for coastal management. Added to Swaminathan’s evident lack of knowledge on coastal issues, the committee came under fire for its undemocratic style of functioning and soliciting inputs from technocratic and investment lobbies. Community groups and environmental organisations alleged that they were completely bypassed.

Responding to these concerns a recent report (June 2009) by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment and Forests recommended that the CMZ 2008 Notification be kept in abeyance. The Parliamentary Panel criticized the Government’s attempt to bring this new coastal legislation through an undemocratic and non-participatory process. It urged the Government to ensure the ‘inclusion and integration of coastal communities through participative, decision making and control instruments’.

Minister Ramesh’s haste in easing coastal norms also flies in the face of his recent pronouncements on what his ministry is doing to combat climate change. In a recent interview1 he stated that ecological security is of paramount importance and climate change needs to be tackled from a local development perspective.

‘For coastal communities, the CMZ would hasten destructive climate change as it would facilitate massive investment with little environmental safeguards’, said T Peter from the Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation, the group that initiated the open letter. ‘If Minister Ramesh is serious about dealing with climate change, he should drop the CMZ scheme and instead begin a dialogue with coastal communities’ added Peter. (Ends)