Vasco: Olencio Simoes Vice Chairperson of National Fishworkers’ Forum(NFF) has made an urgent appeal to the central empowered committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court to save the traditional fishermen of Goa, as the Coastal Economic Zones(CEZ) plans for Goa will displace thousands of fishermen from their traditional livelihood only to benefit crony capitalists.
NFF referred to proposals of increasing transportation of coal handling from 11MMTPA to 136 MMTPA.
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“Since 2016, fishermen from Goa has opposed all Sagarmala projects like Deepening of Approach Channel of MPT for Capesize Vessels, JSW 5A and 6A, re-development of berths 8, 9 and barge berth at MPT and finger pier jetty at Vasco bay which is detrimental to 10,000 fishermen in Mormugao taluka itself ,” said Simoes.
He added that the Sagarmala final report of volume 5 plans more than 25 destructive projects like 9 mini jetties, 4 lane road ,doubling of tracks ,400kv line etc, which will not only displace the fishermen of Goa but will destroy the entire fragile environment of Goa.
He also mentioned in his statement that India being 5th position in the world for worst air quality index, yet this government is adamant with these disastrous projects and has diluted several environmental laws to implement Sagarmala plans in Goa.
He gave examples of how six Goan rivers were nationalized, Major Ports Trust Act and CRZ amended were made that were detrimental to the fishing community.
NFF appealed to the CEC to scrap the 3 liner projects as this will only facilitate Sagarmala, which they say is destructive, as will make Goa a coal transportation hub.
