The community of fishermen around the Chapora river and Aguada bay are strongly opposing the proposed relocation site for casinos from River Mandovi. The Government has asked for suggestions and objectionsthrough public notice at three locations including Aguada and Chapora River along with Zuari.
The government has assured Goans that all casinos will be moved out of the Mandovi but the fact remains that the government will face higher resistance if they are moved to the interior villages where the entire community live on the banks of the river and are fishermen involved in their business for decades now. This community which solely depends on fishing will be hampered to a large extent if the casinos are shifted here, according to locals.
Local MLA of Siolim constituency and the senior most minister in Parsekar’s cabinet have opted to side with the locals opposing the proposal of the government. Speaking to Herald, Dayanand Mandrekar said that there is no fishing in Panjim where the casinos are presently located but the people of Chapora, Siolim, Mandrem are involved in fishing for their livelihood.
“Casinos should remain in River Mandovi instead of shifting to villages like Chapora which will destroy the peaceful life of the villagers and the entire fishermen community. Casinos have been in Panjim for years. Just because some people are raising this issue, the government should not divert them to Chapora or any other peaceful village” Mandrekar said.
However, he informed that he will be raising and objecting the proposal of the government to shift casinos to the Chapora River.
Balbhim Malvankar, president of Chapora boat owners association is taking the lead in gathering support from all the nearby villages which will be affected. He is moving around in every village and panchayat to create awareness among the people and the elected panchayat members.
There are almost eight villages on the banks of the Chapora River which will be affected. They include Anjuna, Assagao, Siolim, Marna, Oxel, Camurlim, Sodiem, Morjim, Colvale and Revora. Malvankar said that the government on one hand has neglected the fishermen community as there is no proper infrastructure for fishing, the roads connecting the jetty, the condition of the jetty and other infrastructure is totally neglected whereas on the other hand, the government is trying to develop the casino culture in River Chapora to completely kill business.
“We don’t need casinos in Goa for tourism. We need positive development. We are trying our best to keep our river clean and pollution free but if the government tries to get casinos here, we will strongly oppose and protest,” Malvankar said.
The river bank has a cumulative population of about 50,000 which directly depends on fishing for a living. The Chapora river is the lifeline for this community. Hence, locals are naturally afraid that their livelihood will be destroyed due to the casinos.
“The presence of the casinos will destroy the younger generation and along with it, the sole earning source will be killed if the government decides to carry on with this move,” Rama Palyekar said.
Ramesh Bhosle, a boat owner chimed in saying that there is no other business other than fishing in these areas. The entire coast is dominated by fishermen whereas there aren’t any fishermen in Panjim. “These casinos have already ruined the Mandovi River. Why does the government want to ruin another clean river? We won’t allow this to happen,” he said.
Anjuna-Caisuva village panchayat deputy sarpanch Savio Almeida said, “We have enough of problems in Anjuna and Chapora as it is with night parties, drugs etc. The authorities are not able to control this mess and it will be a complete disaster if the casinos shift here.”
He said that the local MLA should take all the people into confidence as people are under immense fear and anxiety due to the government’s proposal. “The MLA must address the public keeping in mind the villagers rather than parties,” he opined
The government also faces resentment from the locals around Aguada Bay as they have cited a list of reasons to not shift the vessels here. This protest is supported by Agnelo Fernandes and the local panchayat council.
Fermino Fernandes, panch member of Candolim village panchayat said that the necessary infrastructure and jetty which will be created to handle the casinos will create erosion of the fort hill and demanded for the Goa Biodiversity Board and NIO to conduct a study over the implications.
Sarpanch of Candolim village panchayat, Sandra Fialho said the village of Candolim will protest till the government withdraws the relocation sites at Aguada Bay. She mentioned that the narrow roads and other infrastructure of Candolim would not be sufficient to cater to casino traffic.
Fernandes, former MLA of Calangute said that the fishermen and water sports operators will be affected at Aguada Bay and demanded to withdraw the proposal.
