The Hindu Business Line : AP fishermen's concern over threat to livelihood

FISHERMEN in the north-coastal districts, especially Visakhapatnam, are facing threat to their livelihood as the Government is taking up many projects on the coast without any concern for their welfare or rehabilitation, the leaders of the community and representatives of several NGOs have alleged.

At a press meet here on Tuesday, convened by the Andhra Pradesh Sampradaya Matsyakarula Samakhya (the federation of traditional fishermen of AP), they condemned the attitude of the Government and the district administration.

Mr Sriramamurthy, President of the district unit of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC), said the Government was taking up several projects on the coast - the Gangavarm port, tourist resorts and software companies on the Visakha-Bhimili beach road and several others - without considering the pros and cons.

"There is no scientific study on the possible impact of these projects on the environment and the livelihood of the fishermen. There are rehabilitation plans, but the fishermen are not even consulted," he alleged. Mr C.S. Rao, a former IAS official and the representative of the Praja Spandana, said that Visakhapatnam, which was once primarily a fishing village, had grown into a modern city. "But there may be no fishermen left, if all these projects take shape. Development is desirable, but not at the expense of these hapless sections. The civil society should respond to the problem and pressure should be exerted on people's representatives," he said.

Mr Santa Ram, district President of the Samakhya, said the fishermen should not be denied access to the sea and all steps should be taken to check marine pollution in view of the depleting catches.

The Samakhya is organising a meeting on the Gangavaram port issue at Gajuwaka on Wednesday.

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