Tsunami memorial: Fishermen want memorial in Marina, want restoration of rights

The 1,076 km long coastline of the Kingdom is a monument to the 2004 Tsunami. Every resident of these 608 fishing areas was affected as many like those in Nagapattinam witnessed the loss of life. But even after 20 years, the scars are still there.

Fishermen say that although aid has been flowing in boats, nets and houses from private organizations and the government, over the years their rights have been curtailed, and lands have been gradually taken over in the name of development.

Community leader MD Dayalan from Kasimedu, says that what has happened in the last 20 years is a slow moving tsunami. “The terrible waves that day destroyed homes, killed people, abandoned boats and destroyed people’s lives in one stroke. However, what is happening now in the name of development is unacceptable.”

“On the one hand, the fish caught has decreased, which leads to the traditional fishermen suffering and on the other hand, young people are trying hard to find jobs in non-fishing areas, but few succeed. Our opinions are never considered. “Projects such as desalination plants, construction of recreational areas, amusement parks, and coal-fired power stations are only occupying traditional lands owned by fishermen,” he said.

Another community leader K. Bharathi from Nochikuppam said it has been a long and difficult battle to retain their fishing and boat rights at the Marina beach. “It would be better if the tsunami took us with us. We would not be here to see this day when our very existence is called into question. “The government wants to take the Marina Loop road and the excess sand to make a blue beach,” he said.

“What the Marina really needs is a memorial to the people who lost their lives in the tsunami. It should be a reminder of what the power of nature is and it should speak to what happened that day for generations to come,” he said.

Members of the fishing community were fighting for housing after the tsunami. In Nettukuppam in Ennore, the houses built to replace those who lost their homes due to the tsunami were swallowed by the sea but since the buildings were not insured against house erosion, the families are left homeless.

“These families have suffered enough for a lifetime. They have lost their homes twice because of the sea and the government is doing nothing. “Only about 25% of the promised houses are built by the government,” said Joseph, a resident.

In Nochikuppam, fishermen have been fighting for houses built as part of the rehabilitation project. Kabaddi Maran, a resident said that the houses were allotted to people from other areas.