INDIA
- SRI LANKA FISHERMAN ISSUES – INTERNATIONAL
News:
Tamil
National Alliance ‘categorically rejects’ Sri Lankan President’s offer of 13th
Amendment minus police powers
What's
in the News?
● Recently,
India said that it expects Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment and ensure
a “life of dignity and respect” for its Tamil population.
What
is Sri Lankan Tamil issue?
1. 13th
amendment: Sri Lankan Tamils expects the implementation of 13th amendment
which gives greater administration
autonomy to the Tamil dominated provinces.
2. Poor
financial autonomy: Even though the amendment was enacted, its
implementation is still a problem as land
and police and as well as financial power provisions are not implemented.
3. Demerger
of Northeast province: The 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord recognized the
Northeast as "the historical habitat of the Tamil-speaking people of Sri
Lanka" and thus deemed the Northern and Eastern Provinces to be merged and
operate as one administrative unit and be administered by one elected council.
● But
It was demerged in 2006 by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, which is a main
concern of the Tamil people.
4. Fishermen
issue: Tamil fishermen living in Sri Lanka’s northern districts have
consistently protested Indian trawlers, originating from Tamil Nadu fishing
along their coastline, citing the destruction they cause to marine biodiversity
and their livelihoods that are closely tied to it.
● Sri Lankan fishermen also
protest against Indian fishermen’s use of mechanized trawlers, which would
deplete the resources in a rapid manner.
● The Strait begins just
north of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna peninsula and spans about 100 km at its widest point.
It is known to be a breeding ground for rich marine resources, especially
shrimp.
Why
is its solution important for the India - Sri Lanka relationship?
1. Economic
benefits: India and Sri Lanka have a significant economic relationship, and
the Tamil issue has the potential to disrupt trade and investment. A solution
to the Tamil issue would help to promote economic growth and development in
both countries.
2. Strategic
importance: To sort out the issue and the better relationship with Sri
Lanka is necessary for India. Poor relationship with India always leads Sri
Lanka towards China, that could be a security threat to India.
3. Connectivity:
To sort out the issue is important for India to implement many connectivity
projects between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
4. Domestic
political considerations: The Tamil issue is a sensitive issue in India,
and a solution to the issue would help to improve India's image in the eyes of
its own Tamil population. This would be a positive development for India's
domestic politics to take measures to improve the relationship with Sri Lanka.
Major
causes for fishermen issue between India and Sri Lanka:
1. Illegal
entering: The Palk strait was divided by the imaginary line in 1970’s. The
illegal entering of Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters is a major concern.
2. Bottom
trawling method: Main issue is the use of bottom trawling method; Sri
Lankan fishermen consider this method of fishing depletes the natural resources
rapidly.
● A
group of daily-wage fishermen set out on mechanized boats, owned by other
affluent fishermen, and drag large fishing nets through the seabed.
● While
they primarily target fish species and shrimps, the practice of bottom trawling
scoops out eggs, young fishes, and other marine organisms that eventually die
and are thrown back into the sea.
3. Licensing
system: Sri Lankan fishermen oppose the Sri Lankan government’s decision to
issue licenses to the Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters.
4. Growing
human dead: The Indian fishermen are
concerned about the killing of many fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.
● Last year around 7 people
were killed by the Sri Lankan navy.
Steps
taken by government to address the fishermen issues:
1. Deep
Sea fishing: Indian government gives incentives to the fishermen to divert
them to use deep sea fishing method; 1600cr has been allocated to provide
incentives.
● 70% of the total amount
is given as an incentive to the fishermen.
2. Joint
working group: Joint Working group was constituted by both the governments
with senior authorities to sort out the fishermen issue.
3. Geo-tagging
the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL): The IMBL is the imaginary line that separates the territorial waters of India
and Sri Lanka. The IMBL was geo-tagged
in 2017, so that fishermen can easily see where they are allowed to fish.
WAY
FORWARD:
1. Prohibiting
bottom trawling method: Both the central and state governments should take
measures to prevent the use of bottom trawling methods through proper
monitoring.
2. Effective
surveillance: Proper demarcation of waters with effective surveillance from
both sides. Indian coast guard can be used to prevent Indian fishermen from
entering Sri Lankan waters.
3. Deep
Sea fishing: Financial support to
the fishermen to give up bottom trawling methods and adopting deep sea fishing
methods can be given.
4. Improve
the marine resources: Due to inadequate marine resources in our waters,
Indian fishermen are entering into the Sri Lankan waters; Measures with the use
of technology to increase the marine resources can be taken.
5. Implementation
of 13th amendment: India by using its diplomatic mission should persuade
Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment without any backlog.
6. Indian
investments in Tamil areas: The Indian Government can invest in areas like
education, health in Tamil areas of Sri Lanka to improve the livelihoods of the
Tamil people.
7. Connectivity:
Better connectivity between Indian mainland and Tamil areas of Sri Lanka can
increase the people to people contact and enhance the relationship between the
two sides.
8. Palk
Bay Authority: Palk Bay Authority (PBA) should be formed with all the
stakeholders including marine biologists, fishing experts, government
representatives, and other experts to iron out the issue of lack of marine
resources.