MARGAO
The continued presence of the dredger in the river Sal threw up more questions with locals trying to find out whether the dredging activity is intended to make way for Adani’s coal transportation or prepare a water channel to host casinos in the river.
With the Captain of Port’s tender stating that around six km stretch of the river Sal will be dredged in the operations, people inhabiting the banks of River Sal are trying to find answers, whether the dredging work will start from Orlim and continue downstream or will be restricted up to Orlim from the Varca-Telaulim bridge.
Captain of Ports eerie silence on the fears and apprehensions raised by the traditional fishermen and citizens alike has only further compounded the situation, with no agency coming forward to allay the fears of the local populace.
The Goan understands that a group of people, including members of the traditional fishermen, called on local MLA and Fisheries Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues to discuss the burning issue. While Filipe was believed to have handed out an assurance that the dredger will not move forward, the vessel reportedly headed towards the Orlim bridge from Chinchinim.
A local resident of Chinchinim, Cyril Leitao pointed out the government should first explain the intended purpose behind the dredging. “Since the government has nationalised the rivers, the government should explain whether the dredging is for Adani or coal transportation or to bring casinos,” Cyril said.
The Revolutionary Goans have also demanded a stop to the dredging activity in River Sal. Members of the Revolutionary Goans said the suspicious activity in the river with plans to dredge a six km stretch of the river have raised questions whether the activity is all part of the Sagarmala project for coal or inland transportation.
Meanwhile, members of the AVCB traditional fishermen association have formally lodged a complaint with the Captain of Ports on Thursday. The association has urged the CoP to forthwith stop the work, saying the dredging activity poses a danger to the livelihood of the traditional fishermen.
Former Ambelim Sapranch Cruz Silva said the government should explain the project to the people along the banks of the river from Orlim to Betul. “We are opposed to any dredging of the river from Orlim downstream since it will have an adverse impact on the lives and livelihood of the traditional fishermen,” Cruz added.
Chinchinim p’yat urges CoP to stop river desilting work
MARGAO: The Chinchinim village panchayat has urged the Captain of Ports to immediately stop the ongoing work of desilting of river Sal in order to stop the unrest brewing in the village.
Sarpanch Inacina Rebello dashed off the letter to the Captain of Ports, with copies of the representation to the Minister for Ports, Michael Lobo, local MLA and Fisheries Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, South Goa district Collector and other authorities with a plea to stop the river desilting work.
The sarpanch raised fears and apprehensions by the villagers that the dredging of the river will damage the ecology and also affect the riverine biodiversity. “There are chances of the river banks becoming prone to erosion and losing its flora and fauna. River dredging can have a number of impacts on local fish population, clams, oysters etc,” the letter stated.
Ports Minister says will not go against interest of people
MARGAO: Minister for Ports, Michael Lobo on Thursday said that the Caption of Ports will not go ahead with the dredging work against the interests of the traditional fishermen and the people.
When The Goan called up the Minister to find out his stand on the controversy following objections raised by the fishermen and citizens to the dredging of river Sal, Lobo said the Captain of Ports will take up the desilting work as per the requirements of the fishermen.
When his attention was drawn to the fact that the fishermen are opposed to the dredging of the river, especially from Orlim downstream on grounds that the activity will destroy the marine resources, Lobo said his department will not bulldoze with the project against the wishes of people.
