The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) succeeded, after a 3-day agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi which began on August 29, in obtaining promises from the Minister of Environment and Forests (MoEF) that the ban on fishing and trade of some sea creatures like the Sea Cucumber will be withdrawn. The NFF had launched this agitation with a “do or die” spirit and has only temporarily withdrawn it; calling it off completely is conditional upon the implementation of the agreed withdrawal of the ban.

The ban on harvesting of shark and 63 marine species (including the sea cucumber) had been imposed by the Ministry in July 2001 under provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. This has affected the livelihood of hundreds of small fishermen and fishworkers who depend upon fishing and trade of catch. About 10,000 families are reported to be dependent on the sea cucumber trade and have very little alternative. Many fishermen have been arrested over the years and harassed by the police on the charge that they have violated the ban order.

The NFF, in its discussions with the MoEF and Officer in charge of the Wild Life Protection Act pointed out the inconsistent stand of the latter. Tatas and such big operators are being allowed to loot the sea cucumber off the coast of Lakshadweep even as the ban has been on in the rest of the coastal areas - the excuse has been that the stock of sea-cucumber off the coast of Lakshadweep is “sustainable” while elsewhere it is “under threat”! This clearly shows how policies are made to defend the interests of big capital.

That the Indian state is not really concerned about the sustainability of plant and animal life is reflected in the unabated profiteering, smuggling, and rapacious plundering of our natural resources by the monopoly companies and big-time criminals with the full support of the Central and state governments. At the same time, the forest dwellers, small fishermen and fishworkers, whose livelihood depends upon these natural produce are harassed and accused of depleting our natural wealth.

MEL congratulates the immediate victory of the NFF through its militant agitation. It is only correct that the NFF is on guard against the government going back on its promise, as this has happened on many occasions.