By S Raja
12 Aug 2010 02:47:50 AM IST
Eco development panels suffer due to apathy
RAMANATHAPURAM: The eco development committees (EDCs) formed by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) in the coastal areas appear to have gone into hibernation, with officials paying no attention.
The government established the GOMBRT to assist the Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park (GOMNMP) in conserving marine wealth and maintaining the park and to educate the people on the significance of marine livings.
A separate office is functioning here to monitor the activities of fishermen in preserving the marine organisms. The government also decided to bring the fishermen into participating in the government scheme.
The GOMBRT officials had interacted with the fishermen and created EDCs in four regions, including Mandapam, Keelakarai and Thoothukudi, which covered 250 coastal villages of the two districts. Each EDC comprises a president, five executive members and others from the coastal belts.
The EDC office-bearers were creating awareness among the coastal people on the importance of marine wealth and educating them not to net the banned species in sea. The GOMBRT had disbursed a revolving fund for some SHGs in different coastal areas on recommendation by the EDCs. The SHGs used this fund for launching industries, including mat weaving, rearing cattle and other trades.
Melkani, Director of GOMBRT, and Naganathan, Eco Development Officer, were playing a vital role in forming the EDCs. After the transfer of the two officials, the EDCs were totally neglected by GOMBRT officials. Therefore, the fishermen protested the floating of buoys around the islands as the GOMBRT officials failed to discuss the issue with the fishermen and EDC members. The distribution of revolving fund was stopped a few months ago affecting fisher women.
Now, the EDCs have been rendered voiceless and lifeless for one year. Therefore, the fishermen are expecting the newly appointed GOMBRT Director Balaji to revive the EDCs and make them working.
Gunasekaran, president of the Chinna Erwadi EDC, said that the GOMBRT officials had failed to carry out the schemes through the EDCs in the coastal areas for one year. The EDCs were important for marine conservation.
Seeni Ahamed, president of the Vedhalai EDC, said that the government’s objective in launching the EDCs has been defeated by the GOMBRT officials who ignored the fishermen community.
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