PANJIM: The members of Caranzalem Ramponkars Association on Thursday opposed the demarcation of the water sports zone at Caranzalem beach and emphasized that the beach should be designated for fishing activities and not for something else. Speaking to reporters, the Ramponkars accused the State government of destroying their traditional occupation by introducing such types of activities.
They questioned the government, particularly the Fisheries Department, how it can accord permission for holding the events without taking them into confidence.
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Caranzalem Raponkars Association President Francisco Vaz said, ”Both the Department of Tourism and Department of Fisheries have been harassing us. We fishermen catch fish and feed our families. My humble request to the Department of Tourism and Department of Fisheries is that we should not be troubled.”
”The Caranzalem beach should have been declared a fishing beach and we just don’t want water sports activities here,” Vaz said and added out that the proposed water sports activities will destroy marine life and biodiversity.
”There is a variety of marine life and it will be destroyed if the water sports activities are allowed. See the condition of Dona Paula, almost everything has been wiped out. We will not allow anybody to damage our beach. We want to tell the Tourism Director and Fisheries Director that we will not allow anybody to carry out water sports activities here,” Vaz retorted.
Stating that around 2000 people will be affected if the water sports activities are allowed, Vaz said the association members will meet Panjim MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate to share their grievances and will urge him to find a solution to the problem.
He said there was a need to preserve and protect the Caranzalem beach as a space primarily designated for fishing activities.
Superintendent of Fisheries had written on March 18, 2024, to the President of Caranzalem, Ramponkars and Traditional Fishermen Association informing him that the Department of Tourism with the help of Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited will carry out demarcation of areas on March 20, 2024.
The department had requested the members of the association to be present in person for demarcation at Mandovi River in order to provide assistance to the team.
