Chennai: It was a victory of sorts for fishing communities across India as they managed to get the Coastal Management Zone (CRZ) notification withdrawn.
This 1991 notification, meant to protect the coast, was diluted over the years and legalised many violations on the beaches threatening the livelihood of fishing communities.
"Just because a hotel is coming up near the beach, authorities don't allow us to go into the sea. The sea is our permanent livelihood. We don't know anything else," said a local woman.
And thanks to the pressure mounted by coastal communities, the government recently withdrew the more recent Coastal Management Zone (CMZ)notification, which had loopholes. Now they want the government to restore the CRZ to its original form.
But reverting to the CRZ as it was in 1991 will require strong will power from the government. And the minister says the Centre is ready for it.
"Now all our focus is protecting the rights of our fishermen. We are not concerned about five star hotels or SEZs," said Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests.
The government says it will put in place a new tougher legislation by December which would come down heavily on violators and protect the traditional rights of fisherfolk.