MARGAO
Life goes on as usual for the fishermen from world famous Colva beach even as the Tourism department is bracing up to usher in development and beautification as per the Colva beach Master plan.
The fishing communities have no idea whether the proposed master plan has proposed any development in areas where fish drying is carried out by the traditional fishermen over the decades. For, the gram sabha scheduled on November 30, which was scheduled to discuss and deliberate on the Colva beach master plan, could not take place after the election code of conduct came into force from last Saturday.
Take note that the Colva has known as the iconic beach, but fishing communities continue to pursue their age-old tradition of fish drying activities on the beach front.
A visit to the fishing village revealed the traditional fishermen were busy engaged in the drying fish on a sprawling land overlooking the sea. The fishermen recalled how they were saved by former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar from being displaced from their fishing habitat over a decade ago.
Seventy-eight year old fisher women, Liberata Fernandes said the fishing village at Colva have been her home since she was hardly 10 years old. “I have been working here since I was just 10 years old. Since then, I have eked a living on the fish drying activity and selling the dry fish in the market”, she said.
Liberate could clearly recall how former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar saved the fishermen from Colva from displacement over a decade ago. “When attempts were made to raze down our huts storing fish, salt and fishing gear, we called on Parrikar for help,. He assured us to first inspect the place before taking any decision. When he inspected the site, he was convinced that the fishermen will be displaced if the government had to go ahead with the demolition. Instead, he told us to stay put and continue our fishing activities”, she said, adding that former Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado also helped the fishermen to carry out their activity.
