River Sal
MARGAO
A demand from the industry for desilting River Sal for entry of passenger boats has raised many an eyebrow amongst the traditional fishermen inhabiting the banks of the river.
At a time when the traditional fishermen are up in arms against the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for not showing the fishing areas and fishing stakes in the river from Betul to Orlim bridge in the coastal plan, the demand from the business fraternity to desilt the river for movement of passenger boats has only alerted the fishermen but with anxiety.
A traditional fisherman, Cruz Silva, pointed out that when the traditional fishermen inhabiting the banks, along the river course from Chinchinim, Assolna, Ambelim, Velim and Betul had raised objections to desilting of river some months ago, both Port Minister Michael Lobo and Fisheries Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues had assured the fishing community that the desilting project was in the interest of the fishermen and that there was no intention of any commercial purpose.
“The traditional fishermen would like to remind both Michael Lobo and Filipe Neri to clarify their stands on River Sal desilting, whether it is in the interest of the local fishermen or the corporate, who seem to have plans for introducing boating and tourism activities in the river”, Cruz said.
He pointed out that the traditional fishermen under the AVCB Fishermen Association will also write to the Union Minister of State of Shipping and Ports Shripad Naik not to accept any proposal from the corporates concerning River Sal which is detrimental to the interest of the fishermen.
“Our fears over the CZMP are genuine. The NCSCM plan makes no mention of the fishing areas in the river Sal. There are fishing stakes allotted by the fisheries department right from Betul to the Orlim bridge, but they do not find any mention in the coastal plan. This has only raised fears whether the desilting work is being taken up for transportation, including passenger boat. We want clarity on the matter”, Cruz said.
Fishermen inhabiting the banks of River Sal had over a decade ago objected to the presence of a casino boat in River Sal near the Cutbona fishing jetty. The boat was later towed away after a sustained agitation by the fishing community.
