MARGAO: The All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union has written to the State Environment Minister, the Environment Department Principal Secretary, and the Member Secretary of the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) with their fresh objections to the Marina proposal at Nauxim on the Zuari River waterfront.
Pointing out that it covers an area of over 100,000 square metres, they recalled that the fishing communities of the Zuari have opposed this project since October 2010 when the lease deed was signed with the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
“Fishing communities have opposed this project for over 13 years now and made sure it doesn’t see the light of day as it will destroy local fishing-based livelihoods,” said Laximan Mangueshkar, Union Secretary.
They expressed alarm upon finding out from the replies given by the State government in the recently-concluded Assembly session to questions raised by two MLAs about the promoter of the project having reapplied for permissions with the GCZMA to set up the Marina project at Nauxim.
They also referred to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report that was attached for GCZMA’s perusal through those government replies.
“We have studied the EIA and wish to draw your attention to pages 5.9 and 5.10 dealing with coefficient values for impact assessment and e impact quantification of the marina. The value given for the impact of marina on fisheries is -2. It means the marina will have a permanent impact on fisheries which is major, long term, negative, and irreversible,” said Shaila D’Mello, Union President.
“So the official submissions of the project proponent itself have provided evidence of assured destruction of Fisheries in the Zuari river and you are requested to take note of the same and reject the permissions,” D’Mello added.
