Kerala fishermen against seaplane

ALAPPUZHA: The fishermen have again protested against the government's move to revive the seaplane project to link the major tourist destinations  in the state, including backwater  areas, without consulting  them.   

Mr V. Dinakaran,  chairman of the fishermen’s coordination committee,  told DC that  the association would  not allow the government to push through the project without redressing the fishermen’s concerns.   “The Vattakayal is an active catchment area where  some 500 anglers do fishing daily,” he said.

Traditional fishermen fear that the construction of waterdromes with floating jetties in the backwaters for the service would affect their livelihood and hit  the marine ecology.   An expert committee had suggested relocation of the waterdrome in Alappuzha to allay the concerns of the fisherfolk.

The  Chief Minister had said on Wednesday that the government had initiated discussions with several companies  to operate the service.

The apprehensions of the fishermen would be removed before launching the  project, he added.   Though the seaplane service was first launched in June 2013, it was dropped later  following protests.

Coordination committee leader T.J. Anjalose (AITUC) told DC that they would agitate  if the government  starts   the service  without settling the demands of the fisherfolk.   “We will not allow the waterdrome to be built in areas used by fishermen and clam collectors  to earn their living,”  he said.