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Mumbai ka Manifesto: Original inhabitants want reservation and partnership in city's development

Kolis or the fishermen community, the original inhabitants of the city, are feeling ignored. The primary reason is the lack of hearing from public authorities on issues that affect their, life, livelihood and the way they live.

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Kolis or the fishermen community, the original inhabitants of the city, are feeling ignored. The primary reason is the lack of hearing from public authorities on issues that affect their, life, livelihood and the way they live.

Prominent among the issues that Kolis want to be addressed are – building jetties, coordinating before working on Coastal Road or any other development activity in Koliwadas, not being labelled as slums, have 7/12 records in their names, reservation of seats for Kolis in elections, ban on certain types of fishing net, better markets and treating waste water before letting it out into the sea among others.

"They should make proper jetties. Right now there are no proper jetties for fishermen in a number of places. Besides, there needs to be a proper market area with facilities and if they are closer to Koliwadas, better," said Dashrath Mangela, chairman, Juhu Moragaon Machimar Vivid Karyakari Sahkari Sanstha Maryadit. Mangela said that while the city is developing, the authorities should ensure that the Koliwadas do not get disturbed, a sentiment echoed by many other community members elsewhere in the city.

The latest example was of Coastal Road that caused a lot of consternation. "There is a feeling that no one asks us anything. We want a say on whatever impacts us," said Marshal Koli, a resident of Worli Koliwada.

"What we are asking now is that we should be given treatment like other aboriginals or tribals when it comes to our land or livelihood issues. We do not want just employment but partnership and say. We will soon be asking parties that there be reservation for members of our community in the MLA and MP elections," said Vijay Worlikar, vice chairman, National Association of Fishermen and Patil of Manikdharma Patil Jamaat Trust, one of the nine jamaats in Worli Koliwada.

Most felt that while taking them into confidence during development, the government should give land rights to Kolis. "We need to have 7/12 land records. As of now, that is not there. A number of Kolis have distinct houses. These cannot be categorised as slums. But the problem is that we face a great deal of difficulty when we have to repair them," said Damodar Tandel, of Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Samiti.

Fishermen said that the DP plan should also provide for details like drying space, open space among the areas in the Koliwadas. "A number of people who are reaching Ranji Trophy level live in Koliwadas. If they provide for open space, children can have better opportunities in sports too," said Mangela.

Members of the community said that the government should ensure that all water released into the sea be treated first and also ban certain kind of nets harming fish breeding spots.

Manifesto Suggestions

 Jetties in all Koliwadas so that it enables fishing and related activities
 No slum tag and 7/12 records (land ownership) for Kolis
 Consultation with fishermen before work on Coastal Road project
 Markets and related facility in Koliwadas for good business
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