I am for Alleppey’, the project masterminded by Alappuzha sub- collector Krishna Teja for rebuilding the flood-ravaged district, has come forward with another new project called Donate a Boat, Donate Livelihood’ for inland fishermen. The project was inaugurated by fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma at a function held in Punnamada. In the first phase, as many as 20 inland fishing boats have been handed over to the fishermen. This project aims to hand over 400 boats. Finance minister T M Thomas Isaac presided over the function. The boats were sponsored by a Hyderabad based NGO Abhaya Foundation and Hyundai Motors. The minister also handed over the keys of newly constructed homes by Abhaya Foundation under ‘I am for Alleppey’ project to the flood victims. Abhaya Foundation is spending Rs 5 crore for the rehabilitation of Alappuzha’s flood victims. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that a special legislation will be made for inland fishermen in the state. “The unscientific fishing will be prevented in the inland waters through the laws. We will declare 20 hectors of Vembanad and Ashtamudi backwaters as protected areas in various parts. It is for ensuring the breeding of fishes. We will deploy inland fisherman as guards of these protected areas. We are executing this project for protecting our backwaters which are perishing day by day. The 2019-2021 years will be for the renovation of inland waters. We will execute many projects for this purpose,” he said.
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