NFF General Secretary Olencio Simoes voiced these concerns while participating in the Just Transition on Urban Waterways consultation organised by Climate Agenda at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi on Friday. The consultation brought together trade union representatives, social activists, academics, media professionals and civil society organisations to discuss the impact of inland waterways development on ecosystems and traditional communities.
Speaking at the event, Simoes criticised the Draft National Water Metro Policy released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), which proposes introducing Water Metro services in 18 cities to reduce urban traffic congestion.
He said the proposal follows the implementation of the National Waterways Act, 2016 under the Sagarmala Programme, through which 111 rivers were declared National Waterways.
"The Sagarmala Programme has effectively nationalised India's waterways through the National Waterways Act," Simoes said.
He claimed that traditional inland fishing and riverine communities are steadily losing their customary rights over rivers and their livelihoods.
Simoes further alleged that the Centre was moving towards greater control over inland waterways.
"Major ports have already been nationalised, and now there are plans to bring minor ports under centralised control," he said.
Warning of the environmental impact of the proposed policy, Simoes said the infrastructure required for Water Metro projects would involve extensive dredging.
"Large-scale capital dredging and continuous maintenance dredging will severely damage river ecosystems," he said.
He added that dredging would accelerate riverbank erosion and destroy fish breeding habitats.
"More than 500 fish species that spawn in rivers will be affected," Simoes said, warning that it would cause irreversible damage to aquatic biodiversity and affect fishing communities dependent on these ecosystems.
He also said the cumulative impact of ports, waterways and Water Metro projects would further damage freshwater and marine ecosystems.
The NFF demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Draft National Water Metro Policy and urged the Union government to hold consultations with traditional fishing communities and other stakeholders before implementing policies that directly affect their rights, livelihoods and natural resources.
