MARGAO
What local fishermen had feared all along has now come true. Massive quantities of water hyacinth, washed downstream by monsoon rains from the Khareband-Benaulim stretch of River Sal, have invaded a sizeable section of the river along the villages of Assolna, Ambelim and Chinchinim, severely disrupting traditional fishing activities.
Traditional fishermen say they are returning with boatloads of water hyacinth instead of fish, while their fishing nets and gear are being damaged by the invasive weed.
To make matters worse, fishermen have raised concerns over the risk of snake bites. According to them, the floodwaters have not only carried the water hyacinth downstream but have also brought snakes, including venomous species, posing a serious threat to those venturing into the river.
A visit to the Assolna-Ambelim stretch on Friday revealed large mats of water hyacinth stretching across the river, having drifted from the Khareband-Benaulim belt to Chinchinim, Assolna and Ambelim.
Speaking to the media in the presence of Velim MLA Cruz Silva, traditional fishermen said the weed has caused damage to their fishing gear, including nets and stakes. "We have been forced to suspend night fishing because of the weed. Instead of catching fish, we return with our nets full of water hyacinth. This has become an annual ordeal during the monsoon for the past three years," said fisherman Minguel Fernandes.
He added that fishing becomes virtually impossible once the weed gets entangled in the nets.
"The government should clear the river of the weed before the onset of the monsoon to provide relief to fishermen," he said.
Another fisherman, Rosario Fernandes, echoed similar concerns. "The weed has severely affected our fishing activities and our livelihood. How can we cast our nets when the river is choked with water hyacinth?" he asked.
The fishermen appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure that the Khareband-Benaulim stretch of River Sal is cleared of the invasive weed during the summer months to prevent its downstream spread during the monsoon.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva said he would take up the issue with Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, highlighting the hardships faced by traditional fishermen due to the unchecked spread of water hyacinth.
"Every year, tenders are floated for de-weeding the Khareband-Benaulim stretch of River Sal. However, we do not know the status of the work. If the de-weeding had been carried out effectively, the water hyacinth would not have reached Assolna and Ambelim," Silva said.
He urged the Water Resources Department to immediately undertake de-weeding operations along the Chinchinim-Assolna-Ambelim stretch on a war footing, warning that continued inaction would result in heavy losses for traditional fishermen.
Supporting the fishermen's demand for compensation, Silva said he would also urge the government to compensate those whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the spread of the invasive weed.
