Mumbai's Original Inhabitants Fear World's Tallest Statue
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HEALTH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 Mumbai’s original inhabitants fear world’s tallest statue MUMBAI: A fitting tribute to a local legend a gross waste of money which would be of fish to sell at markets and feed their fami- cause immense harm to a vibrant marine or a grotesque misuse of money? The deci- better spent on improving health, educa- lies. Residents say disruption caused by ecosystem. “There’s a huge diversity of fish, sion to build the world’s tallest statue just tion and infrastructure in the teeming construction will decimate their fishing fauna and invertebrates there. Fish catches, off Mumbai’s coast has divided the city. But metropolis of more than 20 million people. stocks-including pomfret, Bombay macker- sewage, and tidal currents will change,” the traditional Koli community, who el, seer fish, prawns, and crabs-while heavy wildlife biologist Anand Pendharkar said. depend on fishing for their livelihoods, fear Environmental destruction traffic ferrying tourists from three terminals “It’s going to affect the food base of the they will be worst hit by the construction, A petition on the change.org website will block access to the sea and disrupt city, it’s going to affect the economy. There warning that it threatens their centuries- opposing the bronze statue, which will wave patterns. is going to be a huge amount of damage.” old existence. India will spend 36 billion Critics question why Mumbai needs such rupees ($530 million) on the controversial a lavish statute when the city already has memorial to 17th century Hindu warrior several smaller Shivaji memorials. The city’s king Chhatrapati Shivaji. Prime Minister airport, main train station and museum are Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in named after the Hindu hero while there is December. also a Shivaji Park. IndiaSpend, a non-profit At 190 meters it will be twice the height data journalism website, estimates that a of America’s Statue of Liberty and almost micro-irrigation project could provide 40 metres taller than the world’s current water to thousands of farmers in the tallest memorial-a statue of Buddha in drought-prone state for the cost of building China. The Koli fishing community, the statue. For the same sum, dozens of Mumbai’s original inhabitants and whose decaying Shivaji-era forts could be restored goddess “Mumbadevi” lends her name to instead, it says. the city, say the decision to build it on a rocky outcrop a couple of kilometers off the India’s ‘Statue of Liberty’ coast will sound the death knell for their The Bharatiya Janata Party-led traditional way of life. “The breeding Maharashtra government, in coalition with ground for fish will be completely Shiv Sena, which means “Shivaji’s Army”, destroyed,” Krishna Tandel tells AFP, unfurl- dismiss environmental concerns and say ing a net at Machhimar Nagar bay, which is the project will draw 10,000 visitors every tucked behind the high-rises of Mumbai’s day. Shaina NC, a spokeswoman for the rul- southern financial district. MUMBAI: Indian fishermen from the Koli community get off their boat onto a hand- ing Bharatiya Janata Party, claims it will be The project has divided India’s commer- made polystyrene dinghy to come ashore in Mumbai. A fitting tribute to a local leg- an “iconic” memorial akin to the Statue of cial capital and highlights a political obses- end or a grotesque misuse of money? The decision to build the world’s tallest statue Liberty that will make its money back sion with statues in the country as parties on Mumbai’s shores has left the city divided. But the traditional Koli community, through tourism. Shiv Sena spokesman seek to appeal to regional identities with who depend on fishing for their livelihoods, fear the construction threatens their Sanjay Raut says the sea is the best site ever greater effigies of historical figures. centuries-old existence. -— AFP because Shivaji created India’s first navy. Supporters say the memorial is a fitting The development comes as the BJP govern- tribute to someone many locals consider a depict Shivaji brandishing a sword while “We have been fishing for generations. It ment in neighboring Gujarat builds a 182- hero of Maharashtra state, of which charging on a horse, has received almost is our business and now our livelihoods are metre statue to Vallabhbhai Patel, a former Mumbai is the capital. Shivaji fought the 43,000 signatures. Some 2,000 fishermen, at stake,” 32-year-old Tandel says, demand- Indian statesmen who was one of the sen- Muslim Mughal empire, is revered by the many of whom live in shanties surrounding ing the statue be built on land. ior figures in the country’s independence Maratha caste and trumpeted by Hindu Machhimar Nagar, operate 350 boats out of Environmentalists agree that the project, movement and an icon of the Congress nationalist politicians. Opponents insist it is the picturesque cove, catching a melange which is due to be completed by 2021, will Party.— AFP .