Even a decade after the tsunami battered the coastline along Cuddalore district, wreaking havoc of various magnitudes in almost all the fishing villages / hamlets on December 26, 2004, the bitter memory of the dark day is still lingering in the minds of the fishing community.
The otherwise cyclone-hardened fishermen have started dreading the sea. Post-tusnami the fishermen community has become quite circumspect about their sea-faring expeditions, for they closely watch the weather bulletin — formation of low pressure; forecast of heavy rain etc.
They do not venture into the sea during inclement weather. P. Ekambaram, founder of the Meenavar Vazhvurimai Iyakkam (Fishermen’s Livelihood Movement), told The Hindu that it was not that the fishing community was scared of the sea but they had learnt to scrupulously follow the meteorological department’s directions to safeguard their lives.
Mr. Ekambaram, a resident of Devanampattinam, one of the fishing habitations that bore the major brunt of the furious waves, said, “However, with the passage of time the fishermen have learnt to synchronise their livelihood measures to the vicissitudes of nature or natural calamities. ”
He admitted to the fact that post-tsunami marine wealth had depleted significantly. This was a cause of concern to the fisherfolk. They were also worried about the irreparable damage caused by the ever increasing industrial units along the coast.
Mr. Ekambaram refuted the claim of the CUSECS (Cuddalore SIPCTO Industries Common Utilities Ltd) that only treated effluents were let into the sea. District president of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai M.Subbarayan acknowledged the version of Mr Ekambaram. He said that the tsunami had churned the sea to the extent of disturbing the marine ecology and the problem was compounded by the discharge of untreated effluents from the industrial units dotting the Cuddalore coast.
They shudder to think that many more units, such as private power companies, an oil refinery and a textile park (an euphemism for setting up huge dyeing units), would be located along the coast, as these would further aggravate the situation. Mr. Ekambaram and Mr. Subbarayan were clear in their perception that the mouth of the heavily silted Cuddalore port ought to be deepened in a scientific manner to enable easy movement of fishing vessels.
This mouth point had turned tumultuous and posed a stiff challenge even to seasoned fishermen. On an average five to six fishermen drown here as unruly waves overturn the boats here.
They further said that the government had given due compensation to those who had lost over 5,500 catamarans, 850 fibre reinforced plastic boats, hundreds of mechanised boats and dozens of trawlers.
But the livelihood of the fishermen could not be said to be fully restored for the reasons of poor fish catch, meagre compensation of Rs 4,000 for a family during the period of one-and-half-month fishing ban period, continued usage of purse seine nets by certain unscrupulous fishermen and the deep sea expeditions of the vessels owned by the multi-national companies.
They demanded a compensation of Rs 200 - Rs 250 a day for a fisherman family during the ban period. “Only implementing of these measures would instil confidence among the fishermen ,” Mr Ekambaram said.
