Kerala: Fishermen slam sea sand mining

Kochi: The United Forum of Fish Workers has castigated the LDF government for reviving the proposal to mine the seashore to tide over the acute shortage of river sand in the state. The proposal made in the Governor’s address to the budget session of the state assembly, has been described as a major ecological disaster for the state. Speaking to this newspaper, Charles George, president of the Forum, said the proposal first mooted by the Congress-led UDF government 14 years ago, had been shelved following strong objections from the fishing community, political parties and social activist groups.

“It is ironical that the CPM and LDF which was opposed to the proposal 14 years ago has now decided to revive it”, George said. Sand mining at the seashore will have serious ecological fallout and countries, which used to allow such practices earlier, have either banned or imposed severe restrictions on it, he said. “Many island nations have banned sea-sand mining following its destructive impact on beaches and the tourism industry”, he said. The seashore of Kerala has been rated as one of the top regions in the world for genetic and biodiversity. “Any activity which fails to take into account the importance of such factors will be disastrous for the overall economic and social welfare of the people in the state”, he said.