Centre for Social Justice’s coastal initiative, also called Dariya No Dairo, covers coastal districts of Gir, Somnath and Amreli. The coastal intervention is targeted at socio-economic rights of people from the fishing community living on the coastal belt.
CSJ’s intervention is partly related to service delivery — looking at the basic entitlements of the community and implementing government schemes specially introduced for the fishing community. The organization also looks at research and advocacy opportunities that present themselves at the intersection of law and lifestyles — making laws and policies corresponding to the needs of the fishing community.
CSJ’s bid to transform an island
In the year 2016-17, the initiative concentrated on 5 districts of the coastal region with two Law Centres operating in Amreli and Veraval in coastal Gujarat. The interventions during the year led to some crucial Public Interest Litigations being filed for the benefit of the fishermen community.
- After a PIL was filed in 2017 regarding the provision of emergency medical services on the sea, the court directed that out of 110 new ambulances procured by the state, 10 would be handed over to coastal Gujarat. It also directed that 7 new marine ambulances be provided across the 1,400-km long Gujarat coastline.
- A PIL was filed in 2016 regarding violation of fundamental rights of those residing in Sartanpar Bandar, Ghogha, Jafarabad Bet Area and Madhavad Bandar regarding establishment of fish landing centre (jetties). The PIL is still pending.
- For several years, the lighthouse at Dhamlej failed to provide navigational aid to the sailors and the locals. After the issue came to light, an RTI application highlighting the issue was filed by the locals. In 2016, the commission of fisheries was asked to deposit an amount of around Rs 3 lakh for the installation of self-contained solar marine LED lantern for Dhamlej lighthouse.
- After a PIL was filed in 2015 regarding violation of fundamental rights of those residing in Saiyad Rajpara and other adjoining villages regarding Sea Protection Wall, the court ruled that a protection wall should be built in these villages. It also directed that damaged walls should be repaired and a survey of the coastal line be conducted.
During 2016-17:
- Rs. 1 crore was sanctioned by the Fisheries Department of Gujarat for the renovation of Madhavad Fish Landing Centre.
- The plan for the development of Shereyajbara and Sartanpur as a Fish Landing Centre was approved by the Fisheries Department.
- Rs. 97 lakh was approved by Fisheries Department for removing the sand and undertaking dredging to ensure safe arrival of the boats in the New Port in Porbandar.
- A survey was undertaken to map the dredging issues in Una Taluka of Gir Somnath District.
- A protection wall to stop the inflow of sea water beyond the shore was sanctioned by the Narmada Water Resources and Kalpsar Department for Chorvad Port in Junagadh district.
CSJ’s intervention:
Initiating the work in Shiyalbet, an island on the shores of Rajula-Jafrabad in Amreli district, was an abrasion for CSJ way back in 2008. The organization made an exception to its rule of not getting directly involved in mobilization and only providing legal support. CSJ’s silent, sustained and single-handed intervention in the coastal belt has cost couple of lakh organizationally, but has been able to mobilize resources worth crores for the area.
Writ petition and empowerment of Gram Panchayat:
The organisation motivated and trained volunteers to contest local body elections in 2008 in order to have a sensitive leadership at the Gram Panchayat. A writ petition was filed in the High Court with the help of CSJ regarding functioning of the Gram Panchayat. The court order resulted in Shiyalbet receiving its first local Revenue officer-cum-secretary since the 61 years of India’s independence.
Campaign for birth registration:
The movement at Shiyalbet was facing a setback due to unregistered population because of lack of a local government body. Hence people were unable to avail benefits declared under many government schemes. CSJ organized a two-day camp where people were made aware about the importance of possessing these basic documents. After fishermen started registering themselves, they were able to avail benefits like getting their trollies registered, getting subsidies for fishing nets etc.
Protecting fishermen’s right to health:
No doctor or health department official visited Shiyalbet till applications were filed under the RTI Act. After various campaigns and follow ups, permission for a health centre at Shiyalbet was granted in 2008. In another initiative, after CSJ-trained volunteers filed applications under the RTI Act, permission for construction of a jetty was granted which reduced the commuting time by 3 hours.
Establishing fishermen’s rights to access road routes:
Applications filed under the RTI Act resulted in state providing permission to ply government transport buses on a route that was under port authorities.