----- Original Message -----
From: Sudarshan Rodriguez
To: LIstCoastlink
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 7:36 PM
Subject: [coastlink] Coastal regulation zone clause a hurdle



Coastal regulation zone clause a hurdle
By V. Jayanth



CHENNAI, MARCH 6. No concrete measures have been initiated for providing
permanent houses for the tsunami-affected fishing families in coastal districts.
But the initial or preparatory moves by the State and district administration
have stirred a hornet's nest. The coastal regulation zone and the continuing
controversy over the feasibility of implementing the 500 m freeze on
construction activity are posing serious problems for both the authorities and
fisherfolk.

The relevant GO on construction of permanent houses for the tsunami-affected
population seems clear: a "preliminary discussion with the affected population,
including the panchayat/ ward members and the president [of the panchayat or
appropriate local body] will be required to assess whether they [fisherfolk]
would be interested in shifting from their existing location."

On the basis of a discussion, the District Collectors of the 13 affected
districts have been asked to take up survey of coastal hamlets to cover all
partly and fully damaged houses within 500 m of the High Tide Line.

"A conscious decision has to be taken whether houses partly or fully damaged in
the range of 500-1000 metres will also have to be relocated. The survey should
assess the details of the fully damaged and partly damaged houses, including
kutcha houses," says the order.

While the survey has been completed in some districts, it has not been able to
make much progress in some areas - notably in Chennai - owing to what officials
describe as "non-cooperation" by affected families. Official sources say in some
fishing colonies the headmen insist the authorities must go by the list provided
by them. There is a deadlock there.

What has irked fisherfolk and raised strong protests from non-governmental
organisations is the statement, "In case of houses within 500 metres line, it is
necessary that they are compulsorily relocated. However, if a further distance
above 500 metres is required because of the topography, relocation may have to
be undertaken. It is necessary that the vulnerable areas are fully covered. In
case of relocation, the existing houses will have to be handed over to the
Government by relinquishment for appropriate action, since the beneficiaries in
the new locations will be given full ownership patta for the area under their
enjoyment and the construction will be fully funded either by the Government or
by the NGO/ Voluntary agencies/ public and private enterprises/ national or
international rehabilitation organisations."

`Insensitive policy'


The Citizens Platform for Tsunami Affected-Tamil Nadu has described this as an
"insensitive rehabilitation policy."

"We are appalled by the fact that the relief and rehabilitation policy of the
Government is not exhibiting any sensitivity to the issue of housing and
livelihood rights of the affected communities... Instead of focussing on
enabling the affected communities to regain their livelihoods in the shortest
time, the Government has embarked on a plan to clear beaches of the fishing
community and relocating them in places far away from their traditional
homelands." The forum has raised fears over the "real intention of the
Government". Official sources say the administration, both at the State and
district levels, was only focussing on the larger canvas for rehabilitation.
"There are serious problems involved in land acquisition and relocation. Our
first objective is to identify the land in each area, which, we must then
acquire if it is not government or poramboke land. We must keep everything ready
to start work on permanent housing once the funding is tied up," explains a
senior official.

On the debate over the 500 m barrier, he said "There are two issues involved.
The CRZ is a Government regulation and we cannot brush it aside. But we do
realise that the fishermen need to be as near the coast as possible. There are
inherent contradictions in this scheme that need to be resolved. Depending on
the availability of land in each area we will take a decision."





http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/07/stories/2005030708810400.htm





Conservation is not a science but a social process. Science provides inputs and
perhaps a framework into this process.

You are not what you do; you do what you are.

One's profession and career should be their hobby, passion and cause

Sudarshan Rodriguez,
Conservation Management Analyst
Flat 2B, Adithya Apartments
38 Balakrishna Road,
Valmiki Nagar,Thiruvanmiyur ,
Chennai-600 041
Tamilnadu, India.
Phone:+91 44 5201 9470
Mobile: +91 9840680127
Fax: +91 44 52019468
Email: sudarshanr@...


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