The fishermen's communities are protesting to stop the construction of the Vizhinjam Port in Kerala, India, for months now. Because of ongoing construction, the backwaters have altered the direction of sea currents causing coastal erosion across the entire coast of the project area. This has affected the livelihood of the shore communities in a significant way. Fishing villages including Valiyathura and Muttathara, have already seen around 600 of their inhabitants relocated to relief camps, after their houses were lost to sea erosion. Not only have they lost their homes, but they have also lost their original habitat, community, and cultural identity. Many have lived in relief camps for over seven years as their demands for fair compensation packages have gone unheard.

“Thiruvananthapuram district has a coast of 78 km, which serves as a habitat to 42 marine fishing villages housing a population of about 1,73,000 in 2021, with a density of over 4,000 people per village. This shoreline has been undergoing changes — from both erosion and accretion — at regular intervals” New Indian express Jose, S. (2022, October 8). 

The primary concerns voiced by marginalized fishermen communities, activists, and experts are related to the negative effects of rapid coastal erosion. This started around August 2015, shortly after starting the construction of the Vizhinjam port. So far, over 340 fisherman's lands and houses have been completely lost, and another 247 houses in the vicinity of the project site have serious piling, dredging, and cracking issues. The remaining fisherfolk have lost access to beaches and now, their livelihoods are at risk as well. The increased turbulence endangers the lives of fishermen who are unable to maneuver their crafts due to the rough sea. Accidents have become more frequent, and seven fishermen already lost their lives this year due to sea turbulence as they were returning to the fishing harbor. It is feared that current conditions may lead to landslides at the project site, resulting in higher human casualties.

“The protesters are fisherfolk community, belonging to different religions and marginalized castes, are fighting for their land, livelihood, and lives of their future generations.” New Indian express. (2022, August 26).

It is against this backdrop that Indian citizens ask relevant questions related to fundamental human rights. Is it right to pursue development at the cost of land, and the lives of disadvantaged sections of society? Is the development of such a port needed for the welfare of the community? Are there special interests that would choose financial gain over the preservation of marine resources by neglecting to conduct proper impact studies on the community and the sea? What is the purpose of destabilizing a whole community which has relied on seaside fishing for their livelihoods for centuries? Their jobs, families, and very existence have depended upon this ecosystem. Why must they be deprived of their basic needs for the sake of development? 

The Fishermen and their ancestors have lived in and around the Vizhinjam Port for hundreds of years, fending for themselves with no other marketable skillsets than fishing. Many of them have risked their lives in times of natural disasters while attempting to serve and help neighboring communities. One such example of their heroism was during the 2018 monsoon disaster in Kerala, India. Without hesitation, these fishermen ventured out to save thousands of lives when the army and police were nowhere to be found. These fishermen were praised by the Army of Kerala in 2018. Now that they are fighting for their rights and attempting to save their livelihoods, they are labeled as terrorists, anti-nationals, and outsiders.

The fishermen are not opposed to all development, if so, there would be no ISRO in the area to this day. Across the State, the fishermen have sacrificed their land and livelihood for the sake of various developmental projects along the coastal areas. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present generation, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The coastal communities depend upon the sea for their sustenance and at the same time, they have protected the marine resources. Their indigenous lives have contributed to the preservation and maintenance of these resources, something the state has conveniently lost sight of. Any artificial intervention with the natural flow of the sea and resultant calamities, including climate change, requires strong concerted resistance from the part of civil society and human rights organizations. It is so important that we lend a helping hand to the indigenous communities of the coast to fight environmental injustice and human rights violations. The fishing community has lost confidence that the central and state governments will address their genuine concerns and wish to solicit a study conducted by a neutral agency appointed and monitored by the United Nations.

We need your support to ensure this petition reaches the United Nations so that the rights and livelihoods of the fishermen of Trivandrum should be protected.

Reference

Newindianexpress Jose, S. (2022, October 8). Protests at Vizhinjam Port raise deeper questions about the future of fisherfolk. The Indian Express. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/protests-at-vizhinjam-port-raise-deeper-questions-about-the-future-of-fisherfolk-8196542/

Manorama News. (2022, October 7). തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് കടുത്ത തീരശോഷണം; കാരണം തുറമുഖ നിർമാണം: Trivandrum Sea. YouTube. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://youtu.be/nsKRY78smPU

Newindianexpress. (2022, August 26). Vizhinjam protest resulted from our helplessness: Eugine H pereira. The New Indian Express. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/aug/26/vizhinjam-protest-resulted-from-our-helplessnesseugine-h-pereira-2491419.html