MARGAO
Traditional fishermen inhabiting the banks of river Sal have set a host of conditions for the Captain of Ports, including the condition that the government should not undertake capital dredging of the river and the it should not be used for coal handling, or casino, marinas and other tourism activities along the entire length of the river, before any desilting takes place in the river.
A meeting of the traditional fishermen held at Assolna on Sunday under the banner of AVCB Traditional Fishermen Association decided to seek written assurances from the Captain of Ports on all the conditions mooted by the fishermen before the contractor takes up the desilting work.
The meeting chaired by Association President Agostinho Furtado was attended by representatives of fishermen from Assolna, Ambelim and Chinchinim to discuss the pros and cons of the desilting work before the Captain of Ports starts the activity.
The Association will submit the conditions to the Captain of Ports, with a plea to respond with written assurances from the department to each of the conditions, before the fishermen guide and assist the Captain of Ports Department and its agencies for the desilting operations.
While opposing capital dredging of the river, the Association pointed out that it is essential to remove the silt, dirt and pollutants that have been released in the river due to urbanization, industrialization, land-use changes and human activities.
At the same time, the Association pointed out that the EIA notification 2006 does not allow capital dredging without first obtaining the environmental clearance. While supporting the restrictions on capital dredging of rivers, the fishermen insisted that the fish and shellfish breeding areas, fishing areas and fisheries are not destroyed, as will be the case if any capital dredging is carried out.
On discharge of sewage in the river, the fishermen have called for a total stop to the discharge of sewage, garbage, silt and other polluting effluents. They said the land-use changes, filling of low-lying areas and other human activities that affect river Sal must also be strictly prohibited.
The fishermen have insisted that no permission be issued for coal handling or casino/marinas and other tourism activities along the entire length of river Sal, saying the river is a small, extremely eco-sensitive having amazing biodiversity and fisheries, and critical importance for the well-being of Salcete taluka.
“The river maintains the environment of this densely populated taluka by managing pollutants through natural (biological, physical & chemical) processes. The existing anthropological activities are unsustainable and have to be curbed if we have to restore the river to an acceptable standard. It is essential therefore that no coal or other commodity handling, casinos, marinas or other tourism activities are permitted in the river,” the condition stated.
Insisting that river Sal should be used strictly for fishing activities, the fishermen said it is essential that the river may not be used for any other activities except fishing, so that it can be revived.
On future desilting works, the fishermen said any further desilting works for river Sal may be tendered only after consulting the traditional fishermen community and after obtaining their informed consent.
“Further desilting works must be decided in consultation with and the consent of the traditional fisherfolk of river Sal, who are not only repository of the factual information about the river, but are also the defenders of the river and the biggest stakeholders. We will cooperate without hesitation for any such consultation,” the fishermen added.
Eng. Cruz Silva said the fishermen will submit the conditions to the Captain of Ports, hoping that the department will give them the written assurances before taking up the dredging operations.
