MARGAO: Now, the fishing community of Salcete has also expressed anger over the latest Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) amendments of CRZ Notification 2019 and demanded that the Chief Minister intervene into the matter at the earliest.
Speaking to Herald, several fishermen alleged that the BJP government has no concern to the environment and ecology of the State.
It is pertinent to note that two days before Congress spokesperson and leader of Ramponkar community Olencio Simoes had raised this issue and warned of agitation.
As claimed by Simoes, the new amendments dated November 1, will completely destroy Goa’s economy and natural resources for corny capitalists. It will also allow the permanent shacks structure on the beaches, and removal of sand bars.
“It is really shocking to hear the news about the new CRZ Notification. What is more surprising is that the State government has kept all the concerned communities in the dark over the issue. This amendment will not only destroy Goa’s economy but the traditional occupations like fishing,” said Peter Fernandes from Benaulim.
He further said that why the MLAs of coastal belt have shown ignorance about the issue till date?
Another fisherman Savio Rodrigues from Mobor also condemned the notification and said the concerned ministry should have taken the locals, more especially the people living in the coastal areas into confidence before issuing the notification.
“It was a duty of the State government and the concerned department to make the locals aware,” he stated.
He further said that the fishing community and others depending on the fishing activities are
already facing a tough time to sustain due to the various reasons, and adding to this the State and Central government is trying to finish their livelihood.
According to Olencio, latest CRZ amendments of CRZ Notification 2019 will allow extractive industries like oil and gas, hydrocarbon exploration ventures in the mangroves, swamps and also the coastal fishing grounds which will invariably affect the livelihoods of the coastal community.
Shockingly, many from the fishing community and even the local leaders are unaware about the new notification, which has 60 days to file the objections. However, one month has already passed since the notification has been issued.
“We will not allow the government to go ahead with the new amendments and will raise this issue before the political parties and more especially with the political leaders representing the coastal areas in the coming days,” said Francisco Dias from Majorda.
