MARGAO: Alleging that the Jetty Policy 2022, if implemented, would deprive the traditional fishermen of their lawful businesses of operating water sports and Ramponn, the South Goa Water Sports Association (SGWSA) has vehemently objected to the proposed policy.
The water sports operators are also worried that corporate companies will take control over their businesses. They have also raised issues pertaining to their leases for the water sports activities. The SGWSA has already submitted their objections to the Tourism department, and on Monday, they met Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, seeking support.
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Roy Barreto, General Secretary of the SGWSA, told Herald that the Jetty Policy will destroy the original identity of Goa State and Goans. “The original Goans and people residing in the coastal area will be displaced. The traditional fisherman and local communities should have first right to the beach and the coastline. The provisions of CRZ regulations may kindly be looked into,” said Barreto.
He added that the jetty policy cannot be implemented without taking the GCZMA and the traditional fisherman into confidence.
The coastal belts of Goa have territorial drifts. The floating pontoons and passenger cruises may damage traditional fishing nets and pose obstructions to the traditional methods of fishing. The coastal belt, as well as inland waterways are salt water zones, and hence regulated by the CRZ notification, he added.
He said most of the coastal belt in Goa are considered eco-sensitive zones. There are also fish breeding grounds in various places within the belt. The commercialisation which will result from the jetty policy will have adverse effects on the ecology and environment, and will pollute our coastline and rivers, he said.
“There may also be clashes between the water sports businesses operated by traditional fishermen and the newcomers in
the business, resulting in disturbance of public peace and communal harmony,” said Barreto.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that there is still no clarity on the jetty police and the tourism department forcing the stakeholders
to sign the documents in this regard.
“We will take this fight to its logical end,” assured Sardesai.
