Protest against CRZ act held in Bhatkal

Bhatkal - 21 Feb 2012: Hundreds of people joined in a protest rally here in Bhatkal against Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Act which was passed by the Union Govt. According to this Act, many restrictions would be imposed on the people living near coastal areas.

Speaking on this occasion, State general secretary of the National Fishermen's Organisation (NFO) Rama Moger said that the State government should put pressure on the Union government to exempt it from the Costal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Act. If this Act is implemented, it would have an adverse affect on the life of people living in the coastal areas.

It was said that no industry would be set up on the banks of rivers to protect fishing. But now the law was being used against poor farmers and fishermen living within the CRZ. After pressure from the governments of Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa, these States were exempted from the CRZ norms. He said

According to this act, industries and constructions which may cause pollution should be prohibited but this law is being misused and the people, who had been living in such areas for years, were not even allowed to repair their houses. He said

Ganapathi Mangre, Chairman of the Fishermen's Federation, who is also the member of the CRZ committee, said that officials proposed to demolish 87 buildings built in the CRZ area in Uttara Kannada next month. He said that the officials should have conducted a survey before demolition. Without any scientific study, demolition of properties and establishments are not justified.

He accused state govt of harassing poor people behind this Act and warned against massive stire if their demands were not met.

Nivedith Alva, son of Margaret Alva, who was also present in the rally expressed his concern over implementation of this act in Bhatkal.

Bhatkallys News Service / Rizwan Gangavali