Islanders pour out their woes to Assembly panel

Committee receives complaints about crisis in Pokkali and shrimp farming, backwater encroachment, and pollution

Assembly subordinate legislation committee members during their visit to Kadamakkudy village on Thursday.

KOCHI: Islanders in Kadamakkudy village on Thursday poured out their woes to the Assembly subordinate legislation committee looking into issues pertaining to inland fishing.

The complaints received by the committee included the crisis in Pokkali and shrimp farming, backwater encroachment, and industrial pollution.

Trade unions representing fish workers suggested the formation of a Vembanad Authority for conservation of backwaters and effective intervention of the government in cases relating to encroachments, in the High Court and the Supreme Court.

The objective of the committee’s visit was to collect evidence on whether provisions of the Kerala Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2010 and the rules framed thereof were being complied with. The committee members and MLAs Murali Perunelli and S. Shamsudeen were received by people’s representatives led by Edappally block panchayat president M.R. Antony.

Panchayat president Shalini Babu informed the committee that farmers were dropping out from alternative farming of Pokkali and shrimp owing to rising cost. Fishkill is rampant owing to discharge of waste from industries and hospitals, she complained.

Ms. Babu explained the difficulties caused by the absence of fish markets in Kadamakkudy panchayat, forcing fisher folks to depend on markets at Varappuzha and Ernakulam. She also brought their conveyance woes due to absence of adequate boat service to the notice of the committee. Besides, the committee was apprised of the problems facing islanders owing to the strict Coastal Regulation Zone provisions.

Meanwhile, trade union representatives demanded adequate compensation and rehabilitation of fish workers in the event of their loss of livelihood due to reclamation of backwaters.

Mr. Perunelli, chairman of the committee, said a study on the conservation of fish wealth in inland waters and improving fish production were the objectives of the committee. It will also place before the Assembly the necessary amendments to be made to relevant Acts.

The committee also promised to include the demands and suggestions on conservation of environment and jobs in its recommendations. The report will then be passed on to relevant Assembly committees for detailed study. The committee members undertook a boat trip through various areas of the panchayat.