Protesting across India, fisherfolk's apex body seeks rejection of Central govt's draft coastal zone notification

By A Representative
National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF), the apex body of fisherfolk across India, has rejected the draft Coastal Zone Regulation Notification 2018 (CRZ 18), released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on April 18, even as holding National Day of Protest on June 11 against it by representing before collectors of of the country's coastal districts under the banner “Restore our coastline, secure our livelihoods”.
The representation said, the draft "scales back the environmental safeguards for the coastlines, and stands in violation of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986", which states that the Central government shall "take all such measures that it deems to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environmental pollution”.
In a statement, NFF said, the current CRZ, 2011 notification "mandates that setback zones be demarcated, livelihoods be protected and unchecked development curtailed", yet the draft CRZ 18 "overturns these by removing safeguards, facilitating development, in turn paving the way for Sagarmala programme.
Objecting to MoEFCC has publishing the draft CRZ 18 only in English, which allegedly only displays "its cynicism towards the fishing communities at large", NFF chairperson Narendra Patil said, “We are the largest primary non-consumptive stakeholders and natural custodians of the coastal natural resources. The fishworkers of India will not remain silent on a document that has been prepared without our consultation.”
NFF demanded that the Government of India rescind the draft CRZ 18 and take immediate steps towards enactment of a comprehensive Coastal Regulation Zone Act, as promised by the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in January 2011.
It said, the Act must be "prepared through open and appropriate consultation with the coastal fishing communities and concerned citizens and should be based on sound scientific, environmental and social principles with the aim to protect both coastal natural resources and sustainable livelihood practices dependent on those resources."
Also demanding that the Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) under the CRZ 2011 be implemented to include the "demarcation of lines, zones, plans and the long-term housing needs of coastal fishing communities in a transparent and accountable way", NFF General Secretary T Peter said, “Before any new regulations are introduced, the state must implement the CRZ 1991 and the CRZ 2011, and ensure that all violations are dealt with."

Gujarat consultation

Meanwhile, a public consultation in Gujarat by NGOs Centre for Social (CSJ) and Paryavaran Mitra, Ahmedabad, and a fish-workers' organization, Darya nu Dayro, with the participation of 30 representatives, also called for the rejection of the draft CRZ 18, demanding that the current CRZ, 2011 notification be "restored" for the preservation of coastal ecology and promotion of economic activity of the local people.
Seeking to make public the Shailesh Nayak Committee report, based on which the draft CRZ 18 is said to have been jotted down, the consultation demanded "carrying out mapping settlements and creating a reserve zone for coastal communities", adding, "Buffer zone limit around all mangroves should be restored to 500 metres as per the CRZ Notification of 1991 to ensure their protection".
Insisting that the areas which are Critically Vulnerable Coastal (CVC) areas should be specifically mentioned as annexure in the draft notification, the consultation said, "Untreated industrial and domestic effluents should not be disposed of in coastal waters and infrastructure for the same should be established in a time bound manner."
Also demanding that hazard line be "restored to carry out any development activity along the coastal belt", it said, the role of Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats in case of CRZ III areas, as also self-governing town authorities in urban areas, should also be taken into account.
Especially taking objection to the draft CRZ 18's provision which has reduced the earlier limit buffer zone for allowing “nature trails and eco-tourism activities” in CRZ-1 from 100 metres to 50 metres, the consultation said, this would adversely affect "mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes."

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Budget 2026 focuses on pharma and medical tourism, overlooks public health needs: JSAI

By A Representative Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has criticised the Union Budget 2026, stating that it overlooks core public health needs while prioritising the pharmaceutical industry, private healthcare, medical tourism, public-private partnerships, and exports related to AYUSH systems. In a press note issued from New Delhi, the public health network said that primary healthcare services and public health infrastructure continue to remain underfunded despite repeated policy assurances.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

The Epstein shock, global power games and India’s foreign policy dilemma

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The “Epstein” tsunami has jolted establishments everywhere. Politicians, bureaucrats, billionaires, celebrities, intellectuals, academics, religious gurus, and preachers—all appear to be under scrutiny, even dismantled. At first glance, it may seem like a story cutting across left, right, centre, Democrats, Republicans, socialists, capitalists—every label one can think of. Much of it, of course, is gossip, as people seek solace in the possible inclusion of names they personally dislike.

Silencing the university: How fear is replacing debate in academic India

By Sunil Kyumar* “Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival gives us renewed energy and inspiration to move forward together with the resolve of nation-building”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2026. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit subhashita— “Paratantryābhibhūtasya deśasyābhyudayaḥ kutaḥ. Ataḥ svātantryamāptavyaṁ aikyaṁ svātantryasādhanam.”

Harsh Mander moves police over Assam CM’s remarks on Bengali-speaking Muslims

By A Representative Peace and justice worker and writer Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over public statements made on January 27 at an official event in Digboi, Tinsukia district, alleging that the remarks promote hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.

Advisor appointment rekindles debate on governance in Jammu & Kashmir

By Raqif Makhdoomi* The government in Jammu and Kashmir has completed approximately one and a half years in office. During the initial phase of its tenure, public expectations were shaped by commitments made during the election campaign. In particular, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, stated at a press conference held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) that major promises would be addressed within the first six months of governance. As the government has now crossed two such six-month periods, public discourse continues to assess the extent to which these commitments have been met.

Search This Blog