MARGAO
Taking cognizance of concerns raised by tourism stakeholders that cholera cases may impact the ensuing tourism season, the Cavelossim Panchayat on Wednesday sought the intervention of the South Goa district Collector to invoke the Disaster Management Act to stop the fish landing and allied activities at the Mobor fish landing centre.
The Panchayat action comes after Sarpanch Dixon Vaz chaired an emergency meeting with members of Village Development Committee, Bio Diversity Committee, Disaster Management Committee and Panchayat members in the Village Panchayat Office in order to discuss regarding increase in acute gastroenteritis (cholera) cases at Mobor Cavelossim.
The Sarpanch drew attention to the serious concerns raised by members as they feared that the cases may affect their livelihood as most of the villagers are dependent on tourism industry.
“Members unanimously resolved to write to your office under Disaster Management Act to direct to stop the activities within the jurisdiction of village Panchayat Cavelossim which has led to continuous increase in acute gastroenteritis (cholera) cases at Mobor Cavelossim”, Dixon stated in his letter.
He told the media on Wednesday the Panchayat has sought South the district Collector’s intervention since the cholera cases have not come down at Mobor at the fish landing centre.
“Today, I met the deputy Collector, Margao besides the Chinchinim Health officer to take the updates. I had called the emergency meeting of panchayat, village development committee, disaster management, Bio-diversity committee and the Cavelossim villagers Forum wherein it was decided to ask the district Collector to act under the Disaster Management Act”, he said.
“There’s a big worry amongst the tourism stakeholders because of the cholera cases amongst the fishing crew members. Bookings are getting cancelled and advisories have been issued seeking to know whether is it safe to come to Cavelossim. Taking all this into account, we came to a conclusion that why should the tourism stakeholders be made to suffer because of the outbreak”, he said.
He added: “In view of the prevailing situation, a collective decision has been taken to write to the district Collector to act under the Disaster Management Act so that the cases come down to zero”.
Panch member Adv Irish Passainha said the fishing activities at the Mobor fish landing centre is being carried out without statutory permissions and without observing sanitation and hygiene.
“Our villagers are dependent on the tourism industry. We cannot allow the situation to destroy the livelihood of the villagers”, he added.
