Seaplane operations in
Kerala, sought to take tourism to new heights, are in no man’s land. The
project inaugurated a month ago with much fanfare is yet to get into
regular operational mode.
The seaplane operations were halted
after fishermen opposed the project, fearing disruption in fishing
operations. Prominent organizations of fishermen have voiced concern
over the possible loss of livelihood due to stoppage of fishing activity
at sites where the seaplanes are scheduled to land and takeoff. They
had also announced strong protest against the project and threatened to
organize blockade around water dromes.
The government had
responded to the fishermen’s concern by proposing a meeting with them to
discuss the issue to remove their apprehensions. The meeting will be
held on July 23, a top official of Tourism department told The Hindu.
The
Bangalore-based Kairali aviation group, which announced its voyage with
the inaugural flight at Kollam, is in no position to operate it now.
The group with one amphibian aircraft had received only a temporary
permit which has already expired. It needs fresh permit to continue
operations. The group’s website meant to attract bookings for seaplane
journey, has posted a note to wait for information, without giving any
hint as to when the flight would resume.
A Tourism Department
official said the license for operations was being processed for
continuing the service. The amphibian aircraft is undergoing maintenance
checks and would be ready for operations after the monsoon, he said. A
few other operators too had evinced interest in the seaplane operations,
he added.
The CITU-backed Matsya Thozhilai Federation, one of
the fishermen’s organizations which has expressed objection to the
seaplane project, wants a detailed study conducted on the services by a
body of experts. The study conducted by Pawan Hans, the promoting
airline organization, had not considered the fallouts in respect of
fishermen’s livelihood, said T.Raghuvaran, district secretary of the
Federation.
The fishermen’s contention is that the fishing
operations will have to be halted in a large area where the flights are
scheduled to land and take off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They apprehend that
it would curtail their area of activity, affecting livelihood.
The
fishermen’s organizations are expected to stick to their stand to
abandon the flight operations at fishing sites. It would be difficult
for the government to get the support of the organizations, affiliated
to political parties, given the impending Lok Sabha elections. The
coastal belt has a strong community of fishermen who form a vote bank.
The government too would not like to antagonize them at this moment. In
the extreme scenario, the government will be compelled to operate the
flights from dam sites and other water bodies were fishing operations
are minimum.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com
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