Will TN Fisherfolk Protest on Sep 9 Against Coastal Development Projects?

Chennai, Aug 31 (NationPress) Fisherfolk from South Chennai are set to stage a protest in front of the District Collectorate office on September 9, opposing the coastal development projects proposed by the state government and the Greater Chennai Corporation. They claim these initiatives threaten their livelihoods and community spaces.

This decision emerged from a consultative meeting involving representatives from 25 fishing villages that took place at Tiruvanmiyur Kuppam on Saturday evening. During this gathering, they established the South Chennai Fishermen’s Panchayat Protection Committee, electing N. Rathnavel from Tiruvanmiyur Kuppam as president to lead the movement.

The fishermen voiced strong disapproval of the proposed 15-km sea bridge stretching from Nochchikuppam near the Lighthouse to Neelankarai Kuppam, along with the second phase of Blue Flag certification for beaches at Marina, Tiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, and Uthandi.

They contend that these projects are being pushed forward without any consultation with the fishing community, despite their significant impact on traditional livelihoods.

Rathnavel emphasized that the bridge and beach developments would greatly limit access to essential coastal areas.

“The regions that may seem unused in summer are crucial during the monsoon for activities such as storing boats, drying nets, and processing fish. Reducing these areas directly jeopardizes our daily survival,” he remarked.

The fisherfolk also raised alarms that private entities managing Blue Flag beaches might impose restrictions, gradually displacing them from their shores. The Protection Committee has called for a detailed, long-term plan to safeguard the residential and livelihood rights of the fishing community before any project moves forward.

Members stressed that fishing villages, some of which have existed for generations, should not be sidelined in the name of beautification or tourism.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to escalate protests if their issues remain unresolved. Proposed forms of escalation include forming human chains along the coast, displaying black flags on boats, and organizing demonstrations at sea.

Leaders warned that neglecting the fisherfolk's concerns could result in widespread unrest across Chennai’s coastal belt.

The fisherfolk reiterated their openness to development, insisting it must be inclusive, sustainable, and respectful of traditional rights. Until then, they pledged to continue their fight to protect their livelihoods and community spaces.