The National Fishworkers Forum headed by Matanhy Saldanha on Friday "completely rejected" the draft CRZ Notification 2010 issued early this week, saying it neither protects the fishing communities' rights and livelihood nor the coastal environment. "Activities that do not need to be within 500 metres from the sea like atomic plants, greenfield airports, so-called non-polluting industries, SEZs, large housing projects are all permitted without any clear rationale, with no attempt to take account of the cumulative impacts of thermal power plants and ports along the coast," the forum said in a statement issued here. Pointing out that there are only cosmetic changes in the pre-draft notification of April, it said: "Either the Minister for Environment and Forests is trying to fool the people or the bureaucrats are hoodwinking the Minister and the public while acting as puppets of the various lobbies and vested interests." KHAZAN LANDS: It said concessions given to Goa are "nothing but humbug and mere eyewash" as mapping of its coastal villages and 'khazan' lands do not entail any protection to environment or fishermen as it is silent on protecting their houses and means of livelihood. "In fact, the special concessions provided for the fishing community in Goa appears to be an attempt to ghettoise them in order to take control of the entire village under the Coastal Zone Management Plan and thereafter throw it open for land sharks and developers," the forum alleged. It said mapping of the 'khazan' lands, an unique eco-system of the country found only in Goa, will also bring no tangible benefits, particularly where there is no specific provision to prohibit their conversion for other purposes like pisciculture in the guise of their management. Even the special concession granted to Kerala whereby the setback area in backwater islands is reduced to 50 metres appears to be for the benefit of hoteliers and developers who have acquired large chunks of land in these islands, rather than in the interest of the local inhabitants, the forum said. Colossal waste: It accused the ministry of a colossal waste of public funds by holding 10 consultations across the country ostensibly to understand views and opinions of the fishing and other communities living along the coast as none of the recommendations made in these consultations are reflected in the notification. Wondering whether the bureaucrats who drafted the CRZ notification were working as puppets of vested interest, the forum said the special status sought to be given to Goa, Mumbai and Kerala will only open up the coast to builders, the tourist lobby, land sharks and industry.