Anjuna concerned over project in Chapora river
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The government’s plan to develop River Chapora came up for discussion at the Anjuna gram sabha on Sunday with some people belonging to the fishing community opposing the project.
Asking the government to come clean on the project, Balbhim Malvankar, chairman of the Xapora Boat Owners Fisheries Co-operative Society Ltd, expressed fears that marine life would be affected due to tourism activity in the area.
“We fear that the production of seashells and other marine life may reduce due to the impact and the traditional fishermen may also lose their livelihood,” Malvankar said.
Michael D’Souza questioned whether the government had carried out an environmental impact assessment study on the project.
Deputy Sarpanch Savio Almeida assured the members that the panchayat will write to the Captain of Ports and the Fisheries Department asking them to show the layout of the project to find out whether areas under Anjuna Panchayat will be affected by the project.
“We will also ask the government why our panchayat was not made party to the project,” Almeida said.
Many members objected to the absence of a majority of panch members at the gram sabha, as only four panchas were present out of 11.
Pending gymnasium spot at panchayat ground was also discussed.
Some members proposed temporary shed but the deputy sarpanch said the deputy collector would not approve temporary shed and therefore suggested using panchayat space next to the office.
