Curb illegal
LED fishing
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The accusation of fishing practices using LED devices are causing irreparable damage to the marine ecosystem.
Traditional fishers, who use sustainable methods, say this practice is leading to the depletion of marine resources and threatening their livelihoods. Fishermen from the earlier generations were genuinely concerned about fish wealth, but the current set of fishermen focus only on making money.
As concerns escalate amongst the traditional artisanal fishing communities. LED fishing is banned, but nobody stops this activity. Such illegal fishing is going on in Goa destroying our fish and the livelihoods of traditional fishermen.
Fishing using lights is compared to an older form of fishing at night using torches lit by fire. In the past, there used to be Bermuda fishing, a traditional name given to fishermen venturing into the sea at night with torches lit by fire. This method would get a small catch.
But today, huge LED lights are being used to carry out fishing on a much larger scale and that is affecting the lives of fishermen who depend on traditional means.
Though the Centre banned it in all coastal States in 2017, fishers say the use of LED lights remains rampant in waters. Cancel the licences with monetary penalties for those using LED lights at sea.
K G Vilop, Chorao
‘Smart City’ works & carnival celebrations
The carnival floats parade scheduled at Porvorim on February 28 has reportedly been cancelled this year due to ongoing construction work of six-lane construction work of six-lane elevated corridor.
It is also learnt that the Shigmo floats parade scheduled on March 29 have also been cancelled for the same reason. In Panjim, the carnival parade will be held along the same route on March 1. With the ongoing “Smart City” work, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Panjim will be ready to hold a mega event like the carnival float parade. Roads in the city have been dug up and the parking space has been greatly reduced due to the ongoing work. Thousands from all over the State throng Panjim to witness the float parade. Many travel in their own vehicles. With the carnival float parade in Porvorim being cancelled, the number of people at the Panjim float parade will only increase.
Parking of the numerous floats before and after the parade will also be an issue. Will the ongoing Smart City work put a spoke in the Carnival celebrations in the capital city? Hopefully, all the necessary work along the float parade route will be completed in time so that the public will not have to face inconvenience due to traffic congestion and non-availability of parking space.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Goan culture and
landscape changing
The surprise visit by the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to the North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa, was indeed good as he tried to check the staff’s performance and pulled up several staff for their careless attitude towards the patients.
The reluctant reply by the head nurse on the nurses’ count in the hospital only shows the failure on the part of the minister to set the ball rolling for free and fair recruitments of these staff.
The decision to look into the services of the day care nurses in the hospitals is much appreciated as it would definitely provide relief to several relatives of the patients to have a qualified caretaker who will oversee their services.
While he doubles as a TCP and Forest Minister, my sincere appeal to the minister is to visit the sites before allowing the land conversion taking place on lands that they have been marks in the Regional Plan as erroneous rather than have faith in the Chief Town Planner who has been misguiding the committee that is overseeing the destruction of Goa under your leadership.
Then only Goenkars will appreciate your service because just as hospital staff are supposed to save lives, so also the TCP and Forest Departments have a very important role to play in saving the environment and biodiversity of the State. I hope the Supreme Court remark: “Don’t turn Goa into a concrete jungle” has reached your TCP and Forest Departments and the so-called expert panellists who blindly allow such huge land conversions.
Despite several litigations I request the TCP Minister to begin the process for the new Regional plan. You seem to be least bothered to uphold the democratic principle of a government by the people, of the people and for the people, but the TCP and Forest departments have been seen only favouring the real estate sharks. The fruits of your decisions are the recent spate of murders by these so-called filthy rich purchasers changing the Goan culture and landscape for long term erosion of the original Niz Goenkar susegad culture left by the past rulers of the tiny State.
Gregory E D’Souza, Siolim
Railway station at Neura
This is in reference to the news report: “Neura stands firm against proposed railway station” and the Chief Minister’s remarks assuring the public that no coal would be handled at any of the new stations along the Konkan Railway line. He went on to say: “These fears are unfounded” and drew comparison to similar apprehensions voiced during the establishment of the Konkan Railway in 1993-94.
Let it be known that opposition to the Konkan Railway was for the following reasons: 1. Destruction of the Ecology, 2. Acquisition of land and displacement of people and 3. Fear of mass influx of people particularly migrants, resulting in the increase in crime rates and the illegal occupation of land.
Promises are made, which are never fulfilled, and there is no accountability. Compensations and jobs were promised to those affected, which never happened. Similar is the case of the Mopa Airport. In the mining areas the list is endless. If the government feels that the citizens are going to benefit, then there should be transparency. The benefits, which will accrue, should be spelt out in a White Paper, wherein the intelligentsia of the State should be involved. We are proud that Goa has one of the highest literacy rates in the country and boasts of many capable persons who can contribute to the welfare of the State and its people in a meaningful manner.
If promises are made, then there should be a board appointed to monitor that the promises are fulfilled. This is sadly lacking and hence the opposition by the people is mainly to safeguard the interest of the future generations.
Joaquim Pinto, Mapusa
