Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Empowering Women in Tamilnadu

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

SSF Gender Governance in Coastal and Aquaculture Management

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Law Trust Office

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Economic Empowerment of Women for Sustainable Livelihoods and Inclusive Communities

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Integrated Program for Coastal Ecology and Community Rights

About Us

Legal Aid to Women Trust (Law Trust)

We provide support to help fishing communities sustain their fishing practices, improve their livelihoods, and address the challenges they face.

LAW trust established in 1986, works closely with traditional marine fishing communities in Tamil Nadu. We provide support to sustain their fishing practices, improve livelihoods, and tackle various challenges they face. Our initiatives include resource distribution, rights advocacy, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. By strengthening the fishing economy, we aim to enhance the well-being of coastal communities. Our direct grassroots interventions are focused in Cuddalore and Tiruvarur, while we advocate for policy changes across 14 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu. Through these efforts, we strive to create lasting positive impact in the lives of these communities.

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Our focus area

Events

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Cultural Yathra to Restore Muthupet Lagoon

Public appeal to remove the invader species in the Muthupet Lagoon, desilting the estuary, lagoon, restoring mangroves and riverine eco-system and closure of industrial shrimp farms. Securing Customary and Governance Rights of traditional fishers in Muthupet Wetland.

15 Oct, 2025

Empowering Children and Advocates

Children from coastal communities were trained on their protection and participation rights, equipping them with the knowledge to understand and advocate for their rights. In addition, representatives from coastal NGOs received training on key child rights legislations and institutional mechanisms designed to protect children from all forms of violence. The training emphasized the importance of securing children’s participation rights, ensuring that children have a voice in matters that affect them. This initiative aims to strengthen community-based efforts to safeguard children and empower them to actively engage in their own protection and well-being.

Training on Forest Rights Act

A training session on the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 was conducted at Sengankadu, where 70 members of the trade union from Sengankadu and Pettai participated. The participants gained knowledge on the provisions of the FRA and successfully used this information to negotiate with the forest department. As a result, they were able to assert their rights to navigate the river and engage in trap fishing and capture fisheries in the Muthupet Lagoon and Sea. The workshop concluded with a resolution for the establishment of Forest Rights Committees in both Sengankadu and Pettai, empowering the local communities to safeguard their rights.

Empowering Fisherwomen

A total of 80 fisherwomen were provided with a grant of ₹4 lakhs as investment capital to enhance their livelihoods. These women, primarily involved in seafaring and oyster collection, were facing heavy debt burdens, which made it difficult for them to earn a subsistence income. They were often forced to sell their catch to money lenders at prices set by buyers, leaving them with minimal profit. With the financial support from the Law Trust, these fisherwomen can now invest in essential tools for their activities, including nets, boats, ice boxes, vending equipment, and vessels. This investment allows them to improve their fishing operations and achieve better income, empowering them to support their families more sustainably. The women use ten different types of nets to catch prawns, crabs, and various species of fish, each net designed for specific catch sizes. The Law Trust's intervention provides these women with the resources they need to break free from the cycle of debt and improve their economic independence.

Programs

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Coastal Communities Protest: Stalling Public Hearing to Demand Withdrawal of CZMPs under CRZ 2019

On August 5, 2023, community leaders and members of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Welfare Forum (TNWF) submitted a petition to the District Collector in Thiruvarur, demanding the withdrawal of the draft Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) under CRZ 2019. The draft CZMPs were being presented at a public hearing organized by the District Administration, but the fishing community strongly opposed the plan due to its lack of consultation with them. Many crucial details, such as village commons, boat landing spaces, net mending centers, drain channels, and habitats, were missing from the plan. This exclusion led to a strong protest by the coastal communities, who emphasized the need for their involvement in the planning process to ensure their livelihoods and coastal rights were safeguarded.

Strengthening Advocacy Against Industrial Shrimp Farming: National Level Consultation

On January 9th and 10th, 2024, a national-level consultation was held to address the growing concerns over industrial shrimp farming. The consultation focused on challenging the legality and implementation of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) Act, highlighting its negative environmental and social impacts. Participants, including unions from coastal states, collectively decided to contest the act by filing writ petitions in their respective High Courts. Additionally, a collective writ petition will be submitted to the Supreme Court to seek a ban on industrial shrimp farming. The consultation emphasized the urgency of protecting coastal ecosystems, livelihoods, and the rights of local communities against the harmful practices of industrial shrimp farming. By uniting across states, the consultation aimed to strengthen advocacy and mobilize legal action to ensure a sustainable and just future for coastal communities.

Reclaiming Fishing Rights: Traditional Communities Assert Rights to Navigate Koraiyar River and Access Lagoon and Sea

On August 22, 2023, a significant milestone was achieved by the traditional fishing communities in Pettai, Sengankadu, and Munankadu, located in Muthupet Taluk, Thiruvarur District. Using the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, they successfully reclaimed their right to navigate the Koraiyar River and access the lagoon and sea for fishing. This right allows them to use non-mechanized boats for fishing and collect oysters, essential to their livelihoods. The Forest Rights Committee installed a declaration board recognizing this right, which was ceremoniously honored by local dignitaries, including the MLA, Union Chairperson, and comrades from CPI, CPM, and VMDS. This achievement represents a major victory for the traditional fishing communities, ensuring the protection of their ancestral rights and resources.

Strengthening Advocacy Against Industrial Shrimp Farming: National Level Consultation

Our Impact

0 Beneficiaries supported, including SSF workers and women.

0 Training programs conducted on gender and ecosystem management.

0 Government officials and 20+ political representatives engaged in policy advocacy.

0 Women beneficiaries are directly empowered through initiatives.

0 Zones adopted sustainable practices for ecological balance and livelihoods.

0 Women vendors diversified into non-primary livelihoods.

But we're not done yet. We need you

Become a volunteer

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Empowering Women in Tamilnadu

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

SSF Gender Governance in Coastal and Aquaculture Management

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Law Trust Office

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Economic Empowerment of Women for Sustainable Livelihoods and Inclusive Communities

Legal aid to women Trust (Law Trust)

Our organisation works closely with traditional marine fishing communities, who…

Integrated Program for Coastal Ecology and Community Rights

About Us

Legal Aid to Women Trust (Law Trust)

Our focus area

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

HEALTH

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Events

Cultural Yathra to Restore Muthupet Lagoon

Empowering Children and Advocates

Training on Forest Rights Act

Empowering Fisherwomen

Programs

Coastal Communities Protest: Stalling Public Hearing to Demand Withdrawal of CZMPs under CRZ 2019

Strengthening Advocacy Against Industrial Shrimp Farming: National Level Consultation

Reclaiming Fishing Rights: Traditional Communities Assert Rights to Navigate Koraiyar River and Access Lagoon and Sea

Strengthening Advocacy Against Industrial Shrimp Farming: National Level Consultation

Our Impact

But we're not done yet. We need you