NFF opposes move of Centre to convert rivers into waterways

National Fish Workers Forum today registered its 'strong protest' against the move of the Centre to convert 101 rivers across the country into waterways as there would be "environmental degradation."
Chairman of the NFF M.Ilango appealed to the Centre to hold consultations with the communities concerned in all coastal states to enlist their views before going ahead on the matter.
In a release here, he referred to that Union Minister for Waterways, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari recent statement that the government was hopeful of introducing the Inland Waterways Bill, which seeks to convert 101 rivers across the country into waterways, in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

Ilango said that although the move would appear to be an effort to develop economy of the country, the livelihood of fisherfolk in coastal states depending on shallow water resources would be jeopardised.
The traditional fishermen were already facing displacement and the marine ecology had already been at stake because of operation of mechanised vessels discharging oil, he added.