the goan I network
VASCO
Addressing a news conference at Vasco, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) General Secretary Olencio Simoes questioned the Memorandum of Understanding on nationalisation of Mandovi, Zuari, Mapusa, Chapora, Sal and Cumbharjua rivers between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the State government and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
"This tripartite agreement is unconstitutional as the fishermen of Goa are natural stakeholders in the rivers of Goa and the government has not taken them nor the fishermen's union into confidence," said Simoes.
"Nationalization of these six rivers will not help Goa in any form, but will only further cause destruction of Goa as almost 410-km of rivers will be dredged. The government plans dredging activity to bring in large vessels to transport huge cargo, mainly comprising coal."
GRE President Agnelo Rodrigues also feared that dredging would disturb the aquatic ecosystems and endanger marine life, depriving the fishermen of their livelihood and threatening inland fishing villages.
Nationalisation of rivers MoU questioned
Denouncing the nationalisation of six state rivers as unconstitutional, the All Goa Fishermen Union, claimed that fishermen, who are the natural stakeholders, were not taken into confidence.
