MARGAO
River Sal stakeholders, including traditional fishermen, have resolved to oppose tooth and nail the dredging of the river Sal under the guise of rejuvenation of the river as per the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
At a meeting of the stakeholders held on the banks of the river at Assolna, the traditional fishermen and other stakeholders have vowed to oppose dredging of the river by holding a protest in the river.
It has been decided that the traditional fishermen will get their fishing boats in the river to stage the protest if the government goes ahead with the dredging.
The meeting was attended by Fr Bolmax Pereira, who explained the participants how the dredging of the river can open the river for activities such as transportation against the interest of the fishermen.
Fr Pereira pointed out that the nationalisation of the rivers coupled with the imposing of the Port Limits and the making of MPT an Authority are all pointers towards a hidden agenda in dredging the river Sal.
Natividade D’Costa, who had led the Save River Sal over a decade ago when a casino was brought in the river, cautioned the fishermen that the dredging of the river may have been undertaken to start commercial activities in the river.
Roy Barretto informed that the government is bulldozing with the dredging of river Sal under the guise of river rejuvenation as per the NGT order. “The dredging seen in the river indicates that there are other plans than rejuvenation. They are dredging the river to create a navigation channel. They have destroyed the mangroves and have deposited the silt on the river banks contrary to law,” Roy said.
He later told The Goan that though the Captain of Ports has stopped the dredging activity in the river as of now, the stakeholders fear that the government will bulldoze its way and dredge the river by flowing the rules.
“We have today decided to oppose the dredging of the river tooth and nail. Right now, the contractor has reached the river stretch at Chinchinim. We are gearing up for a battle against the activity,” he added.
President of the Traditional Fishermen Agostinho Furtado, former Ambelim Sarpanch Cruz Silva also addressed the meeting.
