workshop on Tourism, Policies and Encroachments

workshop on Tourism, Policies and Encroachments Subject: [invites] workshop on Tourism, Policies and Encroachments

From:    "Santhosh Kumar" <santhosh.kanipayur@gmail.com>
Date:    June 25, 2007

Dear friends,

Tourism development in the state is highly unregulated and the present tourism policies and programmes are mainly focusing on growth and promotion. Both the central and state government are trying to capture more investments in tourism. With this new investments and market expansion, the ill effects of tourism such as environmental and social impacts and pressure on resources are also visible and reaching levels of urgent intervention to stop them. Encroachment of forest, revenue and ecologically sensitive land or tourism is causing many environmental and social problems. Real estate and land speculation activities are very common, which is causing loss of livelihood and denying access to resources to the communities.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations by industries, hotels and resorts are a serious concern throughout the state, and so is the uncontrolled tourism development in Kovalam, Varkala, Alappuzha and Kumarakom, which has lead to an unsustainable tourism development in these areas. This shows there is strong need for strengthening the regulations instead of diluting them.

At the same time the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is introducing a new Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Plan to replace the existing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 1991.The MoEF is choosing to act upon the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Expert Committee Report, a report that since its release in 2005 has been comprehensively rejected by fish worker's unions, coastal communities, environmental groups, trade unions, democratic rights organizations, women's organizations and other civil society activists ad groups

In this context, Forum KERALA in association with Malabar Coastal Institute for Training Research and Action (MCITRA), KABANI - the other direction, Global Alternate Information applications (GAIA), Peoples watch, facilitating a workshop on *Tourism, Policies and Encrochments*

At *Animation centre, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram* on *1st and 2nd of July 2007*.

The workshop will discuss Tourism policies, Coastal Regulation Zone, proposed Coastal Zone Management by MoEF and its impact in the context of
encroachments by tourism industry.

We would greatly appreciate your active participation in the workshop.Kindly confirm your participation by contacting us over e-mail: OR
telephone.

For further information, please contact:
Anivar Aravind - 09446545336
Sumesh Mangalassery - 09388402948
K.C.Santhosh Kumar - 09447375708

In Solidarity
For Organisers
K.C.Santhosh Kumar
Mob. 09447375708

*   Programme Schedule *(Tentative)*

*Sunday, 01 – 07 – 2007*

10 am – 10.30 am - Registration
10.30 am – 11.00 am - Introduction and objectives of the workshop
11.00 am – 12.30 - A situational Analysis of Kerala Tourism Dr.T.T.Sreekumar
12.30 – 1.00 - Discussion
2.00 – 2.45 - Kerala Tourism Act 2005 and Tourism zones
2.45 – 3.15 - Open discussion
3.15 – 3.30 - Tea break
3.30 – 5.30 - Presentation of Case studies

*Monday, 02 – 07- 2007*
9.30 am – 12.30 - Stock taking of Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991
and Proposed CZMP
12.30 – 1.00 Discussion
2.00 – 2.30 CRZ, CMZ and Tourism, Saroop Roy, EQUATIONS, Bangalore.
2.30– 4.30 Group Discussion and follow up plan
4.30 - 5.00 Concluding Session