VASCO
Turning a traditional commercial auction into a community initiative, Velsao panch member Jim D’Souza released over 17,000 fish fingerlings into the Pale Tollem pond in Velsao on Thursday afternoon.
D’Souza, who won this year’s auction for fishing rights at the Velsao lake, chose to forgo commercial sales and instead adopt a community-centred approach. The fingerlings were released in the presence of members of the local village association.
The initiative aims to replenish fish stocks in the water body and ensure that the benefits of the eventual harvest reach local residents.
Speaking on the occasion, social worker Roquezinho D’Souza said local residents would once again be able to enjoy fresh fish harvested from the pond free of charge, continuing a tradition started last year.
The initiative has been welcomed by residents, who said it was a unique example of using traditional local auctions to create direct social benefits for the community.
By stocking the pond with thousands of fingerlings, the initiative seeks to boost fish stocks while supporting sustainable use of the local water body and preserving traditional livelihoods.
Local residents and village association members appreciated the effort, saying such community-led initiatives could help strengthen village unity while promoting the sustainable use of local water resources.
