Team Herald
MARGAO: Reacting to the central government’s statement on its intentions of going ahead with the proposed mini port at Betul, Goans for Sustainable Development (GFSD), condemned the Central government for “favouring the corporates at the cost of local fishermen.”
GFSD said that the proposal for a satellite port in Betul is yet another manifestation of the government’s determination to cater to favoured corporates, even at the cost of displacing fishermen and other traditional communities.
The port, apparently is for bringing in coal and exporting iron ore, ironically in a day and age when India has made a commitment to the international community to reduce its consumption of fossil fuels.
“The dredging that this port will necessitate, will have serious environmental impact on the marine life and biodiversity of the area, leading to change in chemical water composition, thus destroying the livelihood of fishermen,” said Edwin Pinto.
“The dredging would also inevitably lead to collapse of the river beds holding these rivers, thereby causing water logging and serious flooding of all low lying areas surrounding the rivers and further aggravation of the already fast eroding coastline of Goa. This is yet another glaring example of how Goa and its people are being destroyed to fill the coffers of vested interests,” added Fr Eremito Rebello.
