VISAKHAPATNAM: The North Andhra Fishermen Forum (NAFF) has decided to file a public interest litigation under Article 32 of the Constitution to oppose large-scale displacement of fishermen due to the coastal corridor proposed to be developed between Ichhapuram in Srikakulam to Tada in Nellore district.

Forum president P. Nagaraju, advocate K.S. Chalam, AP Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators’ Association president P.Ch. Appa Rao, and fishermen leader K. Demudu told reporters on Sunday that beach sand mining, Achutapuram Special Economic Zone, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Brandix and other projects coming up on the coastal area would throw fishermen out of their livelihood.

Due to displacement, they would lose their right to livelihood thereby causing infringement of Article 21.

Mr. Nagaraju said fishermen were agitated over the development projects and the speed with which the government was allotting sites to the industries and software units all along the coast.

Massive development activity violating the Coastal Regulation Zone notifications would not only endanger the life of the coastal people but also lead to sea erosion and reduce the area under agriculture.