Vizhinjam Port, ecological & social impact - Letter to the Kerala Chief Minister

National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (NPSSFW)

Memo No. NPSSFW/Convener – 26/22

August 25, 2012

Sub: Stop construction of Vizhinjam Port, Negotiate with Peoples’ Movement

Sir,
Sri Pinarayi Vijayan,
Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Government of Kerala.

National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (NPSSFW), the largest organisation of
small scale fish workers in the country is gravely concerned by the stubbornness of the
Government in allowing the constructions for Vizhinjam Port in spite of the perceptible ecological disaster, widespread erosion and resulting destruction of livelihood of the coastal communities including the small-scale fish workers.

NPSSFW vehemently disapproves the suppression of facts and lack of public consultation involved in the procedure to provide clearance to the Vizhinjam Port.

NPSSFW further regrets that the Government is not paying heed to the demands raised by the Joint Council of Protest constituted by affected fishing and farmer communities and supported Kerala Swathanthra Malsyathozhilali Federation, Rashtreeya Kisan Sangh, Sewa Union, Coastal Watch and Kerala Shastra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP). It is deplorable that a Government calling itself left and democratic is promoting the interest of corporate like Adani at the cost of the life and livelihood of common people.

NPSSFW extends its whole-hearted support to the movement of small scale fishing
communities and the coastal people of Kerala against the construction of the Vizhinjam Port and urges upon you to –

1. Immediately stop further construction of the Vizhinjam Port;
2. Remove all constructions like breakwaters and groins that intervene the sand
movement and cause erosion;
3. Compensate and rehabilitate all people including fishing communities affected by
the port construction and erosion;
4. Start consultations with the people who are agitating against the Vizhinjam Port.

Expecting a positive response from your end,

Yours sincerely,
Pradip Chatterjee,
National Convener,
NPSSFW

Headquarters: 20/4 Sil Lane, Kolkata-700015, West Bengal, India. Phone & Fax-91-33-23283989.
National Convener: Pradip Chatterjee (Mobile: 9874432773)
Delhi Office: B48/T1, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095.
(Contact: Dipak Dholakia. Mobile 9818848753)
Website: http:// www. smallscalefishworkers.org
E-mail: npssfw[at]smallscalefishworkers[dot]org