PANAJI
A day after the district administration announced the abrupt banning of fishing and water sports activities at three beaches citing National Games, stakeholders have condemned the decision.
To ensure compliance and avoid protest or chaos owing to the order, the administration has also imposed Section 144 CrPC banning gathering of four and more persons.
As per the notification by the North District Collector Sneha Gitte, water sports such as rowing, yachting, canoeing and kayaking held at Vainguinim Beach, Hawai Beach (Dona Paula), and Chapora River as well as fishing activities are banned from October 27, 2023 to November 8, 2023.
“As part of safety and security measures which are required to be taken during the 37th edition of the National Games, scheduled to be held in Goa from October 26 to November 9, 2023 at 23 venues in 43 games; any fishing or water sports activities within one nautical mile are banned,” reads the notification dated October 18 as the order comes following a report from the Director of Sports & Youth Affairs seeking smooth conduct of the National Games.
The notification details that Rowing at Vainguinim Beach will be banned from November 2-6, yachting at Hawai Beach from November 2-8; while rowing; and canoeing and kayaking at Chapora River are banned from October 27 to November 1 and November 3-7 respectively.
The order also warns of penal action against violators and that the police set up view cutters and barricades for the safety of the National Games participants and attendees.
The fishing associations have criticized the sudden decision alleging the department is sabotaging their interests on the pretext of the National Games.
“There have been several attempts to sabotage our business along these beaches. The government seems to have vested interest,” said a fisherman, who along with a delegation came to the Fisheries Department to seek clarity on the issue.
