NFF to hold protest march to Parliament over 'Save Coast' demand

Panaji, May 20 (UNI) The National Fisherworkers Forum (NFF) plans to hold a protest march to Parliament during the Monsoon Session in July to press for pending demands.

NFF chairperson Harekrishna Debnath told reporters that there was an urgent need to protect the Indian coasts and the coastal people. The NFF has organised the ''Machhimar Adhikar Rashtriya Abhiyan'' to spread awareness on these issues. The ''Abhiyan'', which started from Jakhau in Kutch district of Gujarat on May 1, reached Goa yesterday.

Mr Debnath said that as part of the ''Abhiyan'', over 80 public meetings were held in major fishing villages and fish landing centres. The fisher-folk and other coastal communites are strongly opposed to the new CMZ notification as they fear it would pave way for destructive activities along the coast, Mr Debnath said.

It will jeopardise the natural resources and livelihoods of the fisher-folk and other coastal communities and lead to food crisis, Mr Debnath said.

He cited several projects in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa which pose threats to the environment and are strongly opposed by the locals.

Meanwhile, the ''Abhiyan'' will proceed for Karnataka tomorrow. It will conclude at Kolkata on June 27.

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