“Gulf of Mannar biosphere a neglected biodiversity hotspot”

THE HINDU
“Gulf of Mannar biosphere a neglected biodiversity hotspot”

Special Correspondent

Coastal communites smuggling sea horses, says official

CHENNAI: The Gulf of Mannar biosphere, the first marine biosphere in south, is one of the most neglected biodiversity hotspot, said Aruna Basu Sarkar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Trust (GOMBRT) on Monday.

Covering 360 km of coastal length spread over four districts and habitat for over 3,600 organisms was declared as a marine biosphere as early as 1989. It was still in a critical position, said Ms. Sarkar at a State-level Consultation on Community Agro-biodiversity Management held at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.

While people would have to cultivate for products in other areas, the coastal villagers along the biosphere would have to just jump into the sea to get products worth Rs.500 to Rs.1000 everyday. “As it is difficult to find alternative livelihood options that matched the value of marine products, the villagers are reluctant to lead a life without depending on the biosphere,” she said.

The formation of the Trust and constant interaction with the locals prevented mining of coral reef but the coastal communities were still smuggling sea horses and sea cucumber. Despite booking cases against violators, the trade flourished as it was very lucrative. Now, the Trust has written to the Collectors concerned to book repeated offenders under Goondas Act, she said.

Dangerous nets

Besides, industries, without any regulations, were using the locals to smuggle 147 types of sea weeds and 13 variety of sea grass for their needs by paying no fee, Ms. Sarkar charged. The government had banned several dangerous nets but their use continued illegally. As the Forest Department has no powers to book the trawlers violating Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, the onus was on the Fisheries Department.

The four types of marine turtles, which used to breed on the shores of the biosphere, had now become casual visitors. Last April there were two cases of poaching of dugong each weighing 400 kg. But, the offender was allowed to go scot free without any investigation, she said. In a particular case, the president of the eco-development council happened to be a top smuggler of sea cucumber. .

Stating that conservation was still under buried condition in the marine biosphere, Ms. Sarkar said the critical condition raised issues of over-exploitation of marine resources, reduction in fish population and resultant food security for the local community.

On the positive side, Ms. Sarkar said the Trust has successfully trained self-help groups in alternative livelihood options reducing dependence on illegal money lenders, reduced drop-out rate in schools and has provid.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/08/stories/2010060861210500.htm

Gulf of Mannar biosphere: official clarifies

M. Sundarakumar, I.F.S., Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar National Park, writes:

This has reference to the news item “Gulf of Mannar biosphere a neglected biodiversity hotspot” (Tamil Nadu editions, Internet, June 8), which said that “last April there were two cases of poaching of dugong each weighing 400 kg. But the offender was allowed to go scot free without any investigation.”

A dead dugong was recovered at Rameswaram port on April 6 and another at Seeniappa Dharga on April 16. They were not poached. The Wildlife Warden, Ramanathapuram, conducted an interrogation at the site. No organs of the dugongs were found removed. Post mortem attributed the deaths in both cases to “respiratory and circulatory failure.” The department has not allowed any offender to go scot free as no offence was committed.

The report also quoted the Director of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Trust as saying that “conservation was still under buried condition in the marine biosphere.” The State Forest Department has implemented various protection and conservation schemes with the help of Centrally sponsored schemes. It has engaged 90 anti-poaching watchers. Between 2003 and 2008, 20 cases were registered. Between 2008 and 2010, 89 cases were registered and 120 people were arrested and remanded. A sum of Rs.4.60 lakh was collected as penalty. Patrolling and surprise checks are being carried out regularly and habitual offenders arrested and remanded. Smuggling of sea turtle and sea cucumber in Tuticorin Range has been arrested.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/11/stories/2010061154291300.htm

Condemnation of Fisher people

Conservation or Commercialisation?

COASTAL PEOPLE’S FEDERATION
– RAMANATHAPURAM & THOOTHUKUDI 28.05.2010 - 11 AM.

Conservation or Commercialisation?

CPF is against GOMBRT Director Aruna Basu Sarkar’s recent move /announcement to ban fishing in GOM islands from June first week onwards and opening up entry for tourists to visit 21 coral islands.
CPF questions and doubts very seriously of the real motive of GOMBRT Director whether she wants to conserve the biodiversity and ecosystem of the GOM region or to destroy it permanently by permitting tourism or other developmental activities into the islands.
The fishers and the coastal communities down the centuries have been protecting biodiversity of the GOM region even before the nation or Government could realize the uniqueness of the region and enacting the subsequent laws to protect the same.
The Government recently is coming forward in this 21st century with management plans or projects which really have disturbed the web of life in the GOM ecosystem. (INDO NORWEGION Fishing Technology, Mechanisation of boats, Coral Mining ,Industrialisation , Sand mining , Sethu Samudram Ship Canal project , Kappa Phycus Sea Weed Cultivation etc… ) The Government introduced schemes such as above have really vandalized the coast and devastated the pristine marine wealth.
It is the Governments that have corrupted the minds of the people (fishers) in the past 5 decades and have forced /trained the fishers to loot the wealth by motivating them to be export / market oriented otherwise even the mechanized fishers would not have turned marine destroyers.
It is very unfair that the traditional fishers who have been very eco friendly and sustainable in their fishing till today have been blamed and accused by the GOMBRT. It is they who fish only for livelihood not for the profit or market. As they are eco friendly and sustainable in their fishing, they are still contributing to the country’s total ¼ (25%) of export profit from fisheries.
It is they who have been the natural guardians of the GOM treasure and unpaid warriors of our coastal borders. If any plan of conservation or Management should begin from them. They should be at the centre of any conservation program. Without them, it is impossible for the GOMBRT /Government could manage it or even protected the coastal territory of our nation.
The Statement, the plans and the intentions of the GOMBRT Director have clearly violates the Right to life and Right to Livelihood guaranteed in the Constitution of India. It categorically denies the customary and traditional rights of the fishers over the territorial waters.
If she continues with such anti people and anti marine/ environmental policies and plans, she is creating a law and order problem and disturbing the peaceful coexistence in the GOM region.
How come suddenly the tourists have become more eco friendly than the native traditional fishers who cater for the marine wealth and who eke out a sustainable living relying /depending on the marine wealth for centuries?
It is a undeniable history in the world that wherever the tourism is permitted in the protected areas or National parks or eco sensitive areas, it has really done a great havoc to the environments.
CPF condemns the arrogant and undemocratic attitude of the GOMBRT Director, which hither to have been unheard of in this region. The Previous GOMBRT officials have been so democratic and open minded to carry out the Management Plans of the GOM region.
If she continues to function in such a style of management, we need to really question the need of the National Marine Park of GOM itself?
CPF will never accept such moves of the GOMBRT Director to prevent the traditional fishers to fish in the GOM region. CPF will mobilize traditional fisher people against such livelihood threats from the GOMBRT.
Regards,

Pushparayan
Convener /Secretary