| Vocational training to be given for fishermen |
KURUSADAI ISLAND (GULF OF MANNAR): R. Srinivasan, Assstant Country Director, United Nations Development Programme, (Energy and Environment), New Delhi, said it would promote conservation and sustainable use of coastal biodiversity projects in other marine biodiversities in the country, similar to the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Coastal Biodiversity Project, which was jointly implemented by Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and the UNDP.
Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday after undertaking a field visit to Kurusadai island and other parts of Gulf of Mannar to assess the implementation of the project, he said though there were a few difficulties in implementing the project particularly in getting the confidence of fisher folk, it had many positive aspects to replicate its model to other richest biodiversities in the country. Though many conservation projects were implemented in mainland and hilly regions in the past, Gulf of Mannar biodiversity project was the only project being implemented in marine environment under difficult circumstances in the country. There was a scope for UNDP supporting similar projects in different parts of the country including Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. Mr. Srinivasan, who led a team including Lianchawii, Programme Analyst, Benjamin Larroquette, Adviser and Balaji, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust and M. Sundarakumar, Wildlife Warden, said though improvements had to be attained in some areas, the team was fairly satisfied with the initiatives taken by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust in creating awareness among the fisher folk to preserve the richest biodiversity of Gulf of Mannar. It was of the view that the initiatives to provide alternative employment opportunities to the younger generation of fishermen including vocational and industrial training would woo them to take up new ventures in the future instead of fishing.
While stating that conservation initiatives were showing slow results, Lianchawii and Benjamin said the team understood the difficulties confronted by the implementing agency and the Forest Department to make the fishermen to adhere to the “rules, laws, restrictions and measures” of conservation. However, the authorities should take innovative approach and develop positive attitude for the effective implementation of conservation initiatives.
Mr. Srinivasan said though the Gulf of Mannar project should have been completed by this time, the period of implementation had been extended to three more years due to a few factors. Though the floating of buoys was delayed due to some reasons, concerted efforts must be taken to float buoys to mark the protected areas in the sea.
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