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SINFPAD
Southern Initiative NGO Forum for Participatory Development
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Building Solidarity through Net working

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Genesis of SINFPAD:

People’s Action for Development (PAD) initiated this net work of grass root NGOs working
in the southern districts of Tamilnadu, combines 25 percentage of Tamilnadu population. as
we witness north – south disparities at the global level, these southern districts are also facing
limitations – natural as well as manmade. Formed in 2002, the SINFPAD was established as
an informal network under the concept of. Tied to the idea of “winning together”, SINFPAD
was function as an informal net work in the beginning.
SINFPAD Objectives:
1. To share the field experiences, using participatory methods among practitioners, NGOs,
policy makers and academics working in this area.
2. To encourage the adoption of bottom up approaches in any development interventions.
3. To develop understanding of and capacity in various participatory methods and
participatory development.
4. To exchange information about participatory development initiatives through workshops,
conferences, publications, capacity building in various participatory methodologies.
5. Connecting it with Development Practitioners, International Networks, NGOs, and Academic
Institutions interested in participatory development etc.
SINFPAD and World Social Forum
WSF 2004 Mumbai

In the beginning SINFPAD served as an experience sharing

network and the members shared their experiences about the
consequences of Structural Adjustment Program and
Globalization, developed into an economic literacy program. The
4th World Social Forum (WSF -2004), Mumbai gave further
opportunities to strengthen the solidarity among the network.
Thanks to the assistance provided by HIVOS and Siemenppu,
SINFPAD took 65 delegates to the WSF-2004 and organized
cultural programs and seminars. It organized a seminar on issues
related rivers in Tamilnadu with a specific focus on Tamiraparani
River. The seminar was attended by more than 200 participants.
1. A Farmer’s Leader addressing the SINFPAD Partners about
SINFPAD’s Seminar Paper Tamiraparani River 2.Awareness Campaign by School Children
presented at WSF Mumbai 3.Partners meet on Tamiraparani River
2004
 1 2

Scenes from WSF 2004 Mumbai

1.Kari Bhotos of Siemenpuu signing the banner ‘Save Tamiraparani’ in
which more than 10 thousand delegates signed.2. Rajan standing
behind the legendary Medha Patkar 3. Cultural show by SINFPAD Group
4.SINFAD Seminar on Tamiraparani River at WSF 2004 Mumbai 5.WSF
Review at the venue

3 5

The 7th World Social Forum was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20 January to 25 January 2007.
It was the first of its kind to be held in African continent. 10 delegates who are part of the
SINFPAD Network and 3 delegates from other Networks (LEISA, TNEC & TAFSC)
attended the forum as a group.

SINFPAD WSF 2007 Nairobi Kenya

Taken from Gnana Surabhi Mani’s (RCPED) WSF-2007
Report

The SINFPAD (Southern Initiative NGO Forum for Participatory

Development – Tamilnadu) Network, TNEC (Tamilnadu
Environment Council) and TAFSC (Tamilnadu Fifth Schedule
Campaign) co-organized a workshop at the WSF 22nd January 2007. Siemenpuu
The TNEC presented a paper on the environment situation of
Tamilnadu and the actions necessary to safeguard it. Mr. A. Renganathan of TAFSC presented
a paper on the impact of globalization on tribal livelihoods at the WSF workshop.
Calling for South-South Cooperation, the SINFPAD Network, on behalf of which 13
delegates participated in the forum, discussed at the WSF the issue of the Bourgeois Ordering
of Public Spaces in the name of coastal zone regulation. Mr. N.Rajendra Prasad, Convener,
SINFPAD, introduced the topic to the participants and welcomed them all to the workshop.

The Zoning of India’s Coasts has been placing heavy restrictions on the fisher-folk whose
livelihood is totally dependent on the ocean. Prof. S. Rengasamy (Madurai Institute of Social
Sciences) presented at the workshop the paper, prepared by him and Mr.N. Rajendra Prasad
(Executive Director of People’s Action for Development and Coordinator of SINFPAD), on
the issue.

Delegates of SINFPAD proudly standing in front of

Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi

Standing in front of the 7th WSF 2007 Venue Nairobi,

Kenya Moi International Sports Centre
The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 (CRZ 1991) is the most significant and
specialized legislation guiding developmental activities along the coast and in islands. The
coastal zone includes the open coast as well as the bays and estuaries found in coastal
indentations. Legislatively, coastal zone includes both land and water area with a landward
boundary of 500 metres from the high water point, and a seaward boundary limit defined by
law. Prof. S.Rengasamy stated that it was not so very clear as to how much areas came under
the jurisdiction of the Coastal Regulation Act. According to CRZ the fish processing units
are not to be allowed in predominantly fishing villages of undeveloped areas. The CRZ 1991
talks about the line of vulnerability (500 metres) beyond which the dwelling units are to be
shifted. Prof. Rengasamy posed the question, “Who defines vulnerability?”

Fishing communities in India have inalienable rights on coastal areas and resources based on
generational customary use which include:

a. The right to housing in coastal areas and existing fishing villages.

b. The right to use of coastal lands for occupational purposes.
c. Right of free access to sea and marine
resources.

These rights have been continuously eroded by development policies that privilege industrial
and commercial activities such as mechanized trawling, sand mining, foreign trawler fishing,
and establishment of nuclear facilities, unplanned industrialization, urbanization, tourism, and
biosphere erosion. New economic liberalization policies are an attack on the existing rights
of fishing communities and expose coastal areas to unregulated exploitation by
market forces.
Globalization and economic liberalization affect fisher women most adversely increased
unemployment / underemployment, leading to the predominance of women-headed
households, and consequent burden on women who have to perform roles of both the primary
earner and domestic caregiver
• Domestic and social violence as a result of the disintegration of fishing communities
leading to alcoholism, gambling and other problems among men
• Burden of domestic work due to depletion and salinity of ground water
• Livelihood struggles in the context of takeover of traditional occupations, livelihood
resources and spaces by market forces.

The MS. Swaminathan Committee report recommendations to the government released in

February 2005 to “manage” rather than regulate coastal areas represent further erosion of
both fishing communities’ rights and the integrity of the coastal ecosystem. These
recommendations, which are likely to form the basis for new coastal legislation:
• Propose to dismantle the regulatory aspects of the existing Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
Notification of 1991.
• Ignore the livelihood rights of fishing communities.
• Propose to include and make available for commercial exploitation territorial waters up to
12 nautical miles.
Therefore, fisher-folk of India demand:

1. That the right to land and means of

livelihood of fishing communities be
recognized and formalized with
immediate effect.
2. That no move be undertaken to
dismantle the existing CRZ 1991
notification.

3. That no policy level or legal changes be

undertaken without the direct
participation of fishing communities
and their representatives, including
Rajendra Prasad & Rengasamy interacting trade unions, in the decision-making process.
with international participants
4. The Stringent implementation of the CRZ 1991 notification and punitive action against
past and present violations.

Talking about the Sri Lankan situation, Prof. Rengasamy said the Transnationals and
Multinationals were sidelining the people. The issue between the people of Sri Lanka and
India is the bullying of the Indian fishermen by Sri Lankans. It is necessary to explore ways
and means of coexistence. The Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen had been friendly towards
each other some 30 years ago. But the situation has changed over the years. He said it was
possible to initiate discussions between fishermen on both sides by arranging bilateral visits.

What Prof. Rengasamy stated on the issue at the session triggered a serious discussion. The
delegate from Zambia opined that it was useless to point an accusing finger at anybody. The
hatred between the two nations should be eliminated. The Sri Lankan participants brought
out the issue of Sethusamudram project and stated that a mass propaganda against it was
necessary. They wanted the propaganda material to be circulated on both sides. Mr.
Rajendra Prasad stressed the need for cooperation and collaboration in this respect. He also
pinpointed the need for changing the Coastal Regulation Act in favor of the fishermen. Mr.
Peterson of Kenya said in such a situation compromise was necessary. Moving people from
their places of stay without a proper rehabilitation plan is wrong, he stated. An Indian
participant vehemently opposed the idea of moving fishermen from their areas of livelihood
on any pretext. He said that since the government was pro-rich, it was bent upon favoring the
multinationals. Even if the government banned deep-sea fishing and prawn culture in coastal
areas, violations took place due to the impact of rapid industrialization, averred one lady from
Africa.

Ms. Sari Tolvanen of Green Peace International said protective zones should be
established to protect fishermen and their livelihood. Mr. Rajendra Prasad stated that South-
South collaboration was essential on this issue of fishermen and their livelihood and invited
suggestions from the forum to this effect. One suggestion that came up was that an e-group
could be formed for sharing information and discussing issues. It was also suggested that
inter-country exchanges could be facilitated for a better understanding of the issues involved
and their implications. The African lady called for cooperation at the global level, making
fishermen partners in the effort. The Sri Lankan delegate wondered whether a case could be
filed to highlight the issue of trawlers and to bring about a regulation to control outsiders. It
was pointed out to him that trawlers had been banned already for 40 days during the breeding
season.

When one participant expressed the need to study deep sea

fishing to find out how much of the catch is discarded, Sari
Tolvanen replied that such a study had been carried out
already and that the finding was that 80% of the catch got
discarded. The government of Kenya, someone reported, was
also trying to control deep-sea fishing, which would become a
success in the coming years. While expressing her
reservations over the Sethusamudram project, Sari Tolvanen
stated that Green Peace International was involved in actions
against the project. She said we could not afford going about
destroying the planet in which we lived. She reported that
there was an office of Green Peace International in
Bangalore, which would know the details better. Stating that
a workshop with officers and activists of countries concerned
had been planned already in this connection, Sari Tolvanen said delegates of organizations
represented at the WSF workshop could be invited to that workshop.

Three things were agreed upon:

1. It was resolved to initiate a dialogue between fishermen on both sides of India and Sri
Lanka.
2. It was decided to form an e-forum to share and discuss issues of mutual concern. Mr.
Newton Francis of Sri Lanka would coordinate the forum.
3. It was agreed to collaborate with Green Peace International in the coming days in this
regard.
SINFPAD –SIEMENPUU
Research Study on the Impact of Global Warming in the Southern
Districts of Tamilnadu

Siemenpuu has sanctioned a project to SINFPAD to study about the impact of Global
Warming in the Southern Districts of Tamilnadu. The southern districts of Tamilnadu
comprise 9 districts with an approximate population of 17 millions. There are 23 partner
NGOs involved in this study. it is believed that this support will strengthen the small NGOs
to understand global warming scientifically and to strategize the mitigation process in an
effective way. Serious of capacity building programs are planned in the first year.

List of Active SINFPAD Partners

NGO Partners
1 AWARD
4/82,Elaiyanayakkanpatti(PO)
Thoothukudi – 628 851
2 WELRAWC
No,25. Dippo Street,
Kalugumalai –628 552
3 SEDCO,
Thaikka Street, Sathankulam
Thoothukudi Dt -628704
4 Sarvodaya Trust
5-1-18-1 Perumal maker street
Theni Main Road
Usilampatti, Madurai Dt -625 532
5 RCPED,
1a/1, Periyar Street,
S.S Colony,Madurai – 625010
6 SEEDS
Alampatti PO
Thirumangalam, Madurai Dt
7 RURAL DEVELOPMENT
SOCIETY
6/401, Near Primary Health
Center
Kalligudi –Madurai -625701
8 PAGE
10,Subramaniyasamy Kovil St
Thiruppuvanam – 630611
9 VMMK
51/23, Seethakathi Street,
Viruthunagar – 626001
14 RED
Poonga Nagar, Thisaiyanvilai PO
Tirunelveli – 627657
15 DEEPAM
398, Azad Street,Palayankottai
Tirunelveli Dt - 627 002
16 Manna Welfare Trust,
Carunel Residential School
20. A, Gandhi School St
Vasudevanallur, Tirunelveli Dt
17 RIDO
41 B, North New St,
Meenakshipuram, Natham,
Dindugul Dt -– 624 401
18 S1PRIT
4-A/2,Jonespuram,1st Street,
Pasumalai, Madurai – 625 004
19 RAISE INDIA TRUST
12/3/845,Bharathi Nagar
Paramagudi,
Ramnad Dt – 623707
20 IRWO
1/235,Jothi Nagar
Bharathi Nagar PO, Ramnad DT
21 PAD,
2/29, Sebastian Street,
Vembar, Tuticorin – 628 906.
22 CPE,
Pavoorsathiram,
23 PURA
36, Dennison Road, Nagarkoil
Kanniyakumari Dt – 629 001
10

11 NEEDS
12A, Mudukku Street,
Sriviliputhur,
12 ODAM,
Tiruculi, Viruthunagar Dt
13 RICE,
Kallikudi Main Road,
Opp R.C. Church, Kariyapatti
626106.