Indian fishers under threat

have expressed their disapproval on the new draft Marine and Coastal Regulation Zone (MCRZ) notification. The MCRZ is based on the report of an expert committee set up by the government to review the CRZ notification of 2011. In Kerala, the National Fishworkers Forum has submitted a memorandum to the Central government demanding withdrawal of the draft notification, terming the proposed changes as an infringement of the livelihood rights of coastal communities. MCRZ allows tourism activities in ecologically sensitive areas and land reclamation for commercial purposes along the coast. The regulation also reduces the limit for housing infrastructure along the coast. The CRZ notification of 2011 permitted houses for coastal communities after 100 metres, however the draft notification reduces the limit to 50 metres. The draft rules also limit Coastal Regulation Zone for offshore islands to 20 metres from the high tide line instead of the earlier 500 metres.