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Fishermen oppose marinas at Sancoale, NauximTNN | Apr 17, 2015, 02.54 AM IST
PANAJI: Traditional fishermen have joined environment minister Alina Saldanha
in opposing the proposed marinas in Sancoale and Nauxim, stating that it will
lead to destruction of eco-fragile environment and loss of their livelihoods.
Alina has opposed the setting up of both marinas, as she has spoken about plans
to set up the area in Chicalim and Sancoale as a heritage site to protect
critically endangered species of windowpane oysters (placuna placenta).
"When we asked the fisherfolk in Nauxim, the local villagers, they begged us
not to bring a marina to their village. It is a question of their livelihood,"
she said.
Traditional fishermen are aware that the marinas will draw more than 400 boats
to the area.
"This will in turn affect all traditional fishing activities, thereby depriving
fishermen from their right to earn their livelihoods. Further, the construction
of ramps and other commercial activities which will take place on the bank of
the river will violate CRZ norms in toto," Olencio Simoes, joint general
secretary of Goenchea ramponkarancho ekvott (GRE) and secretary of national
fish workers forum (NFF) said.
Then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had assured traditional fishermen that the
project would not see the light of day. "It seems that the current government
is not interested in taking fishermen into confidence regarding projects that
affect their livelihood directly," Simoes added.
GRE has also raised doubts over the numbers of locals who will be able to
obtain jobs of the 450 likely to be on offer.
