India’s new coastal law threatens Mumbai’s ancient fishing villages

The notification also allows Maharashtra state to build a proposed 192-metre (630 ft) tall statue to commemorate Shivaji, a 17th century warrior king.

Fisherfolk say construction will disturb their catch, and pollution will increase from ferries plying to and from the statue.

Separately, a 10-km sealink that is part of a proposed coastal road to connect the city's southern tip to the suburbs will destroy mangroves and affect their catches, they say.

Fishermen are already battling industrial effluents and solid waste that drains into the sea, pollutes the mangroves and washes up on the beach.

"The CRZ was meant for our protection, but now they have diluted it so much we have lost all protection," said T. Peter, general secretary of the National Fisherworkers' Forum.
 

"They want to smash the fishing villages and build hotels and flats; where will we keep our boats and nets?"

Fishermen and environmental groups have filed a petition against the sealink with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), a special court handling environmental cases.

The court has ruled in favour of kolis in some earlier cases, and is becoming an important way to appeal the CRZ, said Menon.

"But it is not an easy option. They have to mobilise, and it takes time and money," she said.

The CRZ notification comes as fishermen have to go further out to sea for a decent catch, and more are turning to other means to supplement falling incomes.

Mumbai fishermen have called for the 12-mile nautical limit to be increased to improve their catch.

They have also long demanded that the koliwadas be mapped and given protection in the CRZ III category which will preserve the settlements while allowing for redevelopment.

The kolis also want to be recognised as indigenous people, so their land and rights are better protected.

But this is a politically fraught issue, even though India's newly elected president, Ram Nath Kovind, is a Dalit koli.

The federal government has earmarked more than 12 billion rupees ($188 million) for developing tourism at India's beaches.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said a committee has been set up to demarcate Mumbai's koliwadas.

For now, the kolis in Versova are celebrating their return to the sea with feasting, song and dance that reminds the community of their long history in the city.

"Mumbai began as a fishing village - this is its culture, its history, its tradition," said Tapke.

"We protect the sea, the coast, the marine life; now our lives, our livelihoods are threatened because they want to give our land to movie stars and wealthy people who want sea views and beach sports." - Thomson Reuters Foundation