Nets disappear from Alappuzha coastline due to huge maintenance costs and poor catch
A Chinese fishing net. (Photo: DC)
ALAPPUZHA: The centuries-old Chinese fishing nets, one of the tourist attractions of Kerala, are vanishing from the Alappuzha coastline due to huge maintenance costs and poor catch. Adding to the woes of fishermen, district collector N. Padmakumar has ordered the removal of at least 74 fishing nets, which are posing a hurdle to the Kollam-Kottappuram national waterway-III project, before October 20.
Mr K.M. Poovu, an environmentalist, said climate change, industrial pollution and declining mangrove cover had affected fishing using Chinese nets.
“There were hundreds of fishing nets in the Cherthala, Udayamperoor areas a decade ago, but now all these places are deserted. One has to spend over Rs 1 lakh to set up a net and the annual maintenance expenses have gone up. So, the Chinese nets have become a burden to many fishermen,” he said and asked the government to provide insurance cover for them.
These nets were said to have been introduced by Chinese explorer Zheng He in the 15th century while some accounts mention that the nets were set up between AD 1350 and 1450 by traders from the court of Kubla Khan. For retaining the legacy of the Chinese nets, the government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore. But, increasing maintenance costs have forced the fishermen in Fort Kochi and Alappuzha to give up the nets.
Ramya, 27, from Ezhupunna, who owns a net says the maintenance cost was high. “I have given up operation of one of my nets due to the huge cost,” she said.
According to tourism secretary Suman Billa, the recent visit of Chinese diplomats to the state has generated some hope of retaining the heritage of Chinese nets.
( Source : dc )
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