Cruise tourism in Sal: Govt plan sparks concerns

The picturesque mouth of river Sal, indicating the sandy beach belt of Cavelossim and the Betul-Velim belt.

MARGAO
Floating jetties and cruise circuit in River Sal? What exactly is the proposal all about? Are the jetties planned inside the River Sal or in the sea along the Cavelossim coast? How many cruise boats will operate in the river on the cruise circuit along the Cavelossim-Betul fort-Betul lighthouse? Has the government factored in the traditional fishermen and fishing activities in the river – the hub of rich marine resources? And, has the Inland Waterways Authority of India conducted the carrying capacity of River Sal before mooting cruise tourism in the river when the river stretch around the Cutbona fishing jetty has almost reached a point of saturation?

Well, these and other questions have become a subject matter of debate amongst the stakeholders, including traditional fishermen and boat owners, local Panchayat representatives, etc., a day after the decision of the Inland Waterways Authority of India to set up floating jetties in River Sal for cruise tourism became public.

With no clarity forthcoming on the ambitious cruise circuit project, locals say the very mention of the Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul lighthouse cruise circuit indicates that River Sal is part of the circuit, since one needs to access the Betul Fort and the Betul lighthouse through the river.

In this respect, questions are raised as to whether the Goa government or the Inland Waterways Authority of India have conducted a carrying capacity assessment of River Sal before giving the nod for the cruise circuit and floating jetties, considering that the Betul-Cutbona stretch of the river has reached a point of saturation due to the presence of hundreds of fishing vessels. Besides, local fishermen question whether the government has factored in the ill effects that cruise tourism will have on the traditional fishermen, who eke a living from fishing activities. That’s not all. The entire Betul-Cutbona-Ambelim-Assolna belt hosts a rich marine habitat, and is home to shellfish, including Tisreos (clams), Khube, Mussels, etc., besides fish such as ladyfish, mullets, red snapper, etc.

Traditional fisherman Vinay Tari said the River Sal at Betul has been the breeding ground for shellfish such as clams and mussels. “Fishermen from the Betul area eke a living through fishing activities in the river. Cruise tourism will certainly disturb the marine habitat in the entire area,” he said.

He added: “During the River Sal de-silting work, the fishermen had got the contractor to dredge the river in such a manner that it would not disturb the marine habitat. For, after a decade-long famine, clams and mussels had made a big comeback in the river. We only hope and pray that the cruise activity does not end up destroying the marine habitat and the livelihood of fishermen.”

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Panchayat bodies clueless on circuit, floating jetties

MARGAO: The proposed construction of floating jetties to pave the way for the Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul Lighthouse cruise circuit in River Sal may bring the village Panchayats of Cavelossim and Velim into focus.

At the gram sabhas of these two village Panchayat bodies, gram sabha members on both sides of River Sal raised suspicions over a jetty and floating vessel found near the mouth of River Sal.

Sarpanchas of Cavelossim as well as Velim village Panchayats, however, feigned ignorance of the proposed floating jetties in River Sal.

Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz said the Panchayat has not received any proposal from any department. “I have come to know about the floating jetties and the Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul Lighthouse cruise circuit through the media. Let us wait and see what the proposal is all about,” Dixon said.

His Velim counterpart Veena Cardozo echoed similar sentiments, stating that the village Panchayat has not received any such proposal from the government to date. “We will try to find out from the government about the project and its ill effects on fishermen and fishing activities,” she said.

She added: “Once the Panchayat is in receipt of any such proposal, the same will be placed before the gram sabha for discussion.”

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Betul fort & lighthouse: Locals fear environmental impact

MARGAO: The Betul fort and the Betul lighthouse are both located on sloping land on the banks of River Sal.

Of the two historical structures, Betul fort is located right at the mouth of River Sal, near a religious shrine venerated by the traditional fishermen.

The Betul lighthouse, locals say, is located on the adjoining Baradi hillock near the Holy Cross Chapel, about a kilometre away from River Sal, and is accessible by road.

Locals suspect that the floating jetties are being proposed by the Centre for easy access to the fort as well as the lighthouse. In the bargain, they fear that the jetties and the movement of cruise vessels may destroy the marine habitat around the Betul stretch of the river near the mouth.

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Traditional fishermen warn project will destroy Sal’s marine habitat

MARGAO: Traditional fishermen, waging a sustained battle over the years to protect fishing activities in River Sal, fear that cruise tourism in River Sal will spell doom for fishermen and destroy the rich marine habitat in the river.

Leader of AVCB Traditional Fishermen, Manu Cardozo, told 'The Goan' that fishing and fishermen inhabiting the banks of River Sal, along the riverine villages of Chinchinim, Assolna, Ambelim, Velim, Betul, and Cavelossim, will become extinct if cruise tourism and floating jetties are set up in the river. “We have all grown up on the banks of River Sal through fishing activities. River Sal has been a source of livelihood for our ancestors. Even today, fishermen eke a living through fishing activities in the river,” Manu said.

He recalled that a delegation of AVCB Traditional Fishermen had met then-Inland Waterways Minister Michael Lobo at the Goa Legislative Assembly when the government had drawn up plans to de-silt River Sal under the guise of river rejuvenation. “We had suspected at that time that the government had a hidden agenda. What we had feared over two years ago now seems to be coming true. The government has de-silted the river, creating a channel for cruise vessels,” he said.

Manu warned that the traditional fishermen will not remain silent spectators if the government tries to bulldoze its way with the floating jetties for cruise tourism. “We had evicted a casino boat anchored at the Cutbona fishing jetty around a decade and a half ago. We will not keep quiet if the plan is to destroy the rich marine habitat in the river,” he added.