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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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Saturday, August 28, 2010
UNDP evaluates marine biodiversity project
Date:27/08/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/08/27/stories/2010082756820200.htm
UNDP evaluates marine biodiversity project
Special Correspondent
| Vocational training to be given for fishermen |
—Photo: L. Balachandar
Conservation measures:A team of United Nations Development Programme, New Delhi, at Kurusadai Island in Gulf of Mannar near Mandapam on Thursday.
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.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
Friday, August 27, 2010
TN fishermen for berth in Legislative Council
By S M Arun
28 Aug 2010 03:10:12 AM IST
TN fishermen for berth in Legislative Council
THOOTHUKUDI: With the Election Commission having organised an all-party meeting, the fishing community in Tamil Nadu has sent a clear message to political parties to give them due representation in the proposed Legislative Council.
Speaking to Express, Convenor of Coastal People Federation (CPF) M Pushparayan said that the fishing community has been viewed upon by all political parties only as a 'vote bank' and no due representation was given to them by any of the governments.
"Reports say that a total of 78 seats have been sanctioned for the Legislative Council and we are expecting the Tamil Nadu government to set a precedent", he said.
Pushparayan pointed out that though Murari committee, Mandal Commission and Venugopal Commission had recommended due political representation for the fishing community right from local bodies to Parliament, none of these reports have been implemented so far.
Tamil Nadu has 13 coastal districts and 591 fishing hamlets with around 30 lakh actively involved in fishing and related activities.
© Copyright 2008 ExpressBuzz
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Seaweed resources in Biosphere Reserve area depleted: scientist
Date:20/08/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/08/20/stories/2010082058010300.htm Back Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin
 PRECIOUS:Seaweed resources with associated fish population in Gulf of Mannar. Tuticorin: J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institution, said here on Thursday that the seaweed resources in Biosphere Reserve area had been depleted due to over-exploitation and now it was done illegally in the islands of Gulf of Mannar where ecologically sensitive coral formation was located. There are about 25 seaweed-related industries in which depend on raw material from the seaweed collection along the Gulf of Mannar. The exploitation in the reef areas (protected core zone) was causing severe damage to the larger coral colonies and new recruits. “About 450 people along Gulf of Mannar, mostly women from Keezhakkarai, Mandapam and Vembar regions, were involved in the collection. They preferred the island as the seaweeds grew dominantly,” Dr. Patterson added. “The issue is complex as it involves livelihood of the local poor community and conservation issues for long-term sustainability. It should be entertained without causing damage to corals. All stakeholders have to play a major role in maintaining sustainable livelihoods through cultivation and effective conservation. Commercially viable indigenous cultivation technologies have to be developed and effectively propagated among them,” he said. S. Balaji, Chief Conservator of Forest and Director, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT), Ramanathapuram, said that a long-term strategy was being implemented to enhance alternative livelihood for the seaweed gatherers. To provide micro credit to the SHG members from the coastal villages, a corpus of Rs. 5.39 crore was created. As many as 2, 460 SHGs had been in engaged in such activities, he pointed out. N. Kaliaperumal, Secretary, Seaweed Research and Utilisation Association, Mandapam, said that instead of promoting exotic seaweed species, the agencies concerned should focus on the native seaweed cultivation. © Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu |
Thursday, August 12, 2010
GOMBRT - Eco development panels suffer due to apathy
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.
© Copyright 2008 ExpressBuzz
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