the goan I network
MARGAO
Freshwater fish lovers headed to the Raloi Tolem in Curtorim as the local tenants association harvested fresh catch from the water body early Sunday morning.
As usual, hundreds of people from Curtorim and neighbouring villages descended on the Raloi Tolem early Sunday, just to lay their hands on the prized freshwater fish, including the traditional variety of tigurs, dadios, keris and pintoll.
After the farmers of the Raloi Tolem Tenants Association headed by Sebastian Barretto netted the freshwater fish, people made a beeline for it. Some of the fish caught here have become extinct in many parts of the state.
Raloi Tolem is one of the water bodies in Curtorim, which not only helps to irrigate large tracts of agricultural land, but helps local farmers to engage in pisciculture.
Barretto said harvesting of fish from the lake is carried out every year after harvesting of paddy. “We were happy to net a good quantity of freshwater fish this time,” he added.
To a question, he said the farmers will again go for a second harvest on Saturday.
Former Raloi Tolem Tenants Association Chairman J Santan Rodrigues, who is also the Chairman of Curtorim Biodiversity Committee, said the committee was in the process of documenting the rich agricultural and pisciculture activities in the village.
“Curtorim is known as the granary of Salcete. Local farmers store the water for irrigation and also use it for pisciculture, which sustains local livelihoods,” Santan added.
