Funds generated and intended for the relief of tsunami-affected communities in the southern Indian state of Kerala are getting re-allocated to develop tourism, prompting angry protests by local people. Kerala Tourism says developments will provide large-scale opportunity to local people, but tsunami survivors do not agree.

(Tourism Concern) - The Tsunami Rehabilitation Program (TRP) has allowed the Kerala government to re-allocate 850 million rupees to the state tourism board, and are intended to fund development of 20 projects that were not affected by the tsunami; projects that were actually planned prior to the tsunami but suspended due to lack of funding.

In an effort to appease locals, Kerala Tourism is deeming the projects "coastal protection". Yet, plans consist mainly of beach beautification measures to attract tourists.

“Kerala’s tourism industry must not be developed at the expense of the rights and entitlements of tsunami-affected communities," according to Tricia Barnett of Tourism Concern. "To use funds meant for their rehabilitation for tourism projects that will bring them no benefits and undermine coastal protection measures will make a mockery of the huge donor support provided by individuals and governments across the world in the aftermath of this unprecedented unnatural disaster”.

Throughout the region, post-tsunami damages are still a problem, especially in areas such as the peninsulas of Allapad and Arattupuzha, which bore the greatest loss of life in Kerala because there was no bridge linking them to the mainland. These remain in urgent need of coastal protection and infrastructural repair. The Kerala government did begin building a bridge, but then the project was suspended due to, again, lack of funding. The bridge remains as of yet unfinished, leaving locals vulnerable and frustrated at their government’s lack of response.

Other communitues are still reeling financially from the effects of the tsunami, and increased tourism threatens to put over 500 fishermen out of work due to development on shorelines and an artificial reef.

Thus far, the state has failed to develop alternative forms of employment for coastal people through tourism. Currently, such opportunities are limited to menial, low paid jobs, despite Kerala’s renowned high literacy rates and standards of education. With fish stocks dwindling and increasing pressure on coastal communities to sell their land to tourism developers, the need for alternative livelihood opportunities is greater than ever.

Serious concerns also exist over the potential environmental impacts of the tourism developments and questions remain over the level of coastal protection they will provide.

“Kerala Tourism has a responsibility to use tsunami funds in line with central government guidelines and local people must be consulted on the role that tourism will play in their future," says Sumesh Mangalassey of Tourism Concern’s Tsunami and Displacement Project.

It is not clear whether the projects will be subjected to an environmental impact assessment and existing policies limiting coastal developments have been ignored. Kerala Tourism claims it will use ‘eco-friendly’ methods in the developments. However, the projects will involve removing trees and sand dunes – both effective natural coastal defences - and erecting hard concrete structures in their place.

These have been shown to be ineffective at preventing against sea erosion. In some cases, Kerala Tourism’s plans clash with coastal and environmental protection measures being implemented by other state departments. In the resort town of Bekal, a forestry department eco-fencing and forestry initiative has come into conflict with the tourism department’s plans for hard engineering structures.

For more information, visit www.tourismconcern.org.uk/ .