MARGAO: Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) demanded that the seaplane project be scrapped immediately, failing which fishermen would prevent the planes from landing in local waters. It also criticized Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Mumbai-based company, Maritime Energy Heli Air Services, for the project despite strong opposition from traditional fishermen and knowing that such projects were also opposed in Maharashtra and Kerala.
“The seaplane project is likely to come up from Dabolim to Mandovi River and Chapora River and it will move to other inland rivers. Planes will require a large area for landing and take-off, and they will obstruct fishing activities and have ecological repercussion,” said Olencio Simoes, GRE joint general secretary and National Fish-workers Forum (NFF) secretary.
GRE pointed out that as per the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), operational areas for seaplanes would be demarcated as no-fishing zones or no movement areas. GRE president Agnelo Rodrigues stated, “The seaplanes need buffer zones that are around two kilometres long and half a kilometre wide in addition to the area required for a water aerodrome. Additionally, floating jetties/ramps, a terminal station, infrastructure facilities like passenger lounges, frisking areas, etc will be built along the bay of the river, violating CRZ norms and causing further environmental degradation.”
“Fishing or related activities will be prohibited in this area, adversely affecting the livelihood of traditional fishermen. It will also hinder trawlers and other tourism-related activities like water sports. Additionally, oil leaks will be disastrous for our environment, while the blare of the seaplanes is likely to make fish migrate,” added Olencio.
GRE further pointed out that every time an aircraft lands or takes off, it will generate waves that will affect marine life, traditional fishermen and other vessels. Agnelo lamented, “The project will affect resident and migratory birds; bird hits are likely and their nesting season will be disturbed. Air, noise and water pollution will disrupt the ecosystem of the entire State.”
