the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that the government has planned the de-silting of river Sal “ the lifeline of Salcete “ in the interest of the local people, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant allayed apprehensions raised by the traditional fishermen inhabiting the riverine villages that the de-silting would destroy the marine habitat and
their livelihood.
After Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa raised the issue of taking up the de-silting work in two phases, suggesting that the work may start from the starting point of the river, the Chief Minister said the authorities have proposed de-silting work starting from the river mouth to mobilise deployment of de-silting machinery in the river.
Seeking the support of Saxttikars to implement the de-silting project in river Sal, the Chief Minister said the work will be taken up in two phases, given its magnitude. “We have drawn up a plan and it will take some time to implement it. The government will approach the centre for funds to execute the project. In case there’s any delay in receiving the central funds, the government would take up the project with state government funds,” he added.
When his attention was drawn to apprehensions being raised by the traditional fishermen that the marine habitat in the river will be destroyed by de-silting, the Chief Minister begged to differ. On the contrary, Sawant pointed out that the river Sal is polluted and contaminated with the presence of a very high level of e coli, affecting breeding of fish. “The e coli level is very high in river Sal. In fact, it has gone up manifold. If the river is not de-silted, the pollution will affect fishing as well,” he added.
Saying that an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is being done by the government on the de-silting, the Chief Minister said the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is carrying out a detailed scientific study of the river. The government will go about the work of de-silting after receiving the report from the NIO, he added.
