PANJIM: The Congress on Wednesday strongly opposed the State government’s move to set up marinas in Nauxi and Sancoale villages, stating that ‘promotion of tourism cannot be at the cost of the livelihood of the traditional fishing community’.
“The Congress party supports the sentiments of the people who are fighting the proposed marinas and sea planes to protect their livelihood,” Congress spokesperson Agnelo Fernandes told media persons.
“Tourism industry cannot be promoted and developed at the cost of the livelihood of hundreds of families dependent on fishing in those villages,” he added.
The State Investment Promotion Board recently had cleared the proposal by a private company to set up a marina at Nauxi, while Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has expressed its desire to have a similar project at Sancoale; both on the Zuari river.
Fernandes charged the government of falling prey to vested interests and affecting the life of the fishing community. “We stand by the people and will make sure that marinas don’t come up,” he said. Traditionally people have been harvesting fish varieties including oysters from the Sancoale Bay.
The local fishing community under the banner of the “Goenchya Ramponkarancho Ekvott” is protesting the proposed marinas, with local MLA and Environment Minister Alina Saldanha also raising objections to the project.
Congress Wednesday afternoon also reiterated its demand for a CBI inquiry into the illegal and fraudulent grant of clearances to the Tiracol golf course and resort project and has urged the Environment Minister to seek a CBI inquiry in the project or else step down as a minister.
