MARGAO
In the last session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Velim MLA Cruz Silva had moved a Calling Attention Motion over fears and anxiety in the minds of the fishermen and South Goa residents about the proposed river cruise tourism on River Sal, with floating jetties at the Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul Lighthouse circuit by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
The Calling Attention was not allowed for discussion for reasons unknown. The Captain of Ports also feigned ignorance of any such proposal made by the IWAI. That, however, has not stopped strong opposition brewing on the ground across the riverine villages opposing the proposed floating jetties in the River Sal, considered the lifeline of Salcete.
Gram Sabhas of village panchayats along the Salcete coastal belt have red-flagged the floating jetty/cruise tourism circuit proposal in the River Sal. Others, including the Congress party, too have knocked on the doors of South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes to take up cudgels for the inhabitants of the riverine villages in opposing the proposed floating jetties.
Says Velim MLA Cruz Silva: “I had moved the Calling Attention Motion seeking the government’s stand on the proposed jetties as it will affect the fragile marine ecosystem of the River Sal, thereby damaging the livelihood of the fishermen and disturbing the serene nature of the sites.”
He added: “I wanted the reaction of the Goa government to this dangerous proposal by IWAI, which is nothing but an attempt to take away our rivers under the garb of river nationalisation.”
Hailing from the fishing village of Ambelim, the Velim MLA was categorical in saying the proposed jetties will spell doom for fishermen from the villages of Betul, Mobor, Velim, Ambelim, and Assolna, eking out a living on the River Sal.
The jetties had come in for strong opposition at the Gram Sabhas of the village panchayats of Carmona and Varca, with members opposing the jetties tooth and nail.
The Cavelossim village panchayat too has joined its counterparts along the coastal belt in raising concern over the development. In fact, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz dashed off a letter to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte seeking clarity on reports that floating jetties and cruise circuits are proposed to operate in the River Sal along the Cavelossim-Betul Fort-Betul Lighthouse stretch.
“Reports of floating jetties proposed in the River Sal have created concerns among the local fishermen as well as the natives who are dependent on fishing activities in the area for their livelihood. We have requested the Tourism Minister to clarify if any such proposal is in place. The panchayat has requested the Minister to take the local panchayats and traditional fishermen into confidence before finalising such a proposal,” Dixon added.
While the Captain of Ports and the government have failed to shed light on the floating jetty/cruise circuit proposal in the River Sal, people, including fishermen inhabiting the banks of the River Sal, seem to be bracing up for a sustained battle against these tourism-related developments.
A fisherman from Assolna warned: “We had got the then government to tow away a casino vessel anchored near the Cutbona fishing jetty around a decade and a half ago. The proposed floating jetties and cruise circuits will meet a similar fate if the government tries to bulldoze through with these controversial projects.”
