The National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) protested against the Union ministry of environment and forests' draft coastal management notification on August 9. Hundreds of local fisherfolk, especially women, assembled in front of the government administrative building at Bandra in Mumbai shouting slogans against the government's move to handover "oceans to industry". Such protests were organised in 12 places in Maharashtra and also several other coastal states in the country.
Protestors from the coastal states have sent requests to their chief ministers, who will forward them to the Union ministry. Fisherfolk allege that the notification does not take note of their customary rights and is a big blow to their livelihood. "Women are in the forefront when it comes to fishing. The government should allocate special machimaar zone and encourage them to earn their livelihood, rather than snatching their traditional rights and handing their rights to private parties for water sports activities or recreation complexes," said Gajanan Khatu of National Alliance People's Movements.
-- Rajil Menon Mumbai
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