SSCP restricts fishing; protestors cry foul

Chennai, Nov 3 (UNI) Dredging work for the proposed Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) and subsequent restrictions on fishing had adversely affected the fishermen community, contends the Movement Against Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.

Talking to media here today, Movement convenor Ms Jesurethinam said the environmental clearance report for the project was replete with 'legal infirmities'. The fishing community was promised of 'zero restrictions' but now they were facing a grave challenge of survival in the wake of mounting restrictions, she added.

Fishing nets worth crores of rupees were destroyed as the heavy undercurrent of water, dragged the nets towards the dredging vessels.

'Fishermen in the six coastal districts are fraught with the agony of a possible displacement and many fear that they would be cut off from their environs', she said. Steps taken to initiate the community into alternative livelihoods - like nursing and tailoring- had added to their worries.

As regards the project feasibility, she said 'till today there is no proof that a canal has been dug'. The proposed shipping channel is a sedimentation area and it would make dredging an endless affair.

'Disallowing of public inspection and the lack of transparency in the whole project had raised doubts about the progress in dredging' said Mr Jeeva, one of the convenors of the Movement.

About the death of whales in the project area, she said 'the respiratory system of the whales is very sensitive to dust and over-turbidity of the water due to dreadging has precipitated the vulnearability of the area for the whales'.

When asked about the recent discovery of radiation in the area, she said environmental clearance for the project had been rushed through in a controversial manner and added that such issues of prime concern should have been studied much earlier.

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