MARGAO
Desilting of River Sal at the Cutbona fishing jetty finally commenced from Wednesday, two days after the contractor had moved the dredger at the jetty.
The contractor, however, has been told in no uncertain terms to restrict the river desilting near the new portion of the jetty to ensure that the activity does not leave damage the rich marine habitat.
Though the Captain of Ports had taken up the work of River Sal desilting as part of the river rejuvenation project, local fishermen had sounded caution, to ensure that the rich marine habitat is not destroyed by the activity.
In fact, the desilting activity has come at a time when shell fish, including mussels, oysters and clams have made a big presence around the Betul-Cutbona river stretch after around a decade. It was precisely because of the presence of the shell fish that the traditional fishermen had called for a cautious approach to the desilting of the river, to take up the activity away from the marine habitat.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva too has joined the traditional fishermen in demanding that the River Sal desilting is restricted to the Cutbona jetty area.
He said the contractor has been told to strictly restrict the activity to the jetty, around the portion of the new jetty.
The Velim MLA said desilting of the river is also taken up at the Colleadongor area of Assolna-Ambelim belt.
