VASCO: The fishermen community from Khariwado under the banner of Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Cooperative Society (OCFCOCS) has raised serious concerns over the spilling of woodchips in sea from berth number 11 of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) which are washed ashore at Khariwado.
According to the OCFCOCS members, large amount of woodchips have washed ashore and the menace has been increasing day by day, causing severe hardships to the canoe owners operating from Khariwado beach.
“We had complained about dust pollution from woodchips from MPT, but no action was taken to stop the menace. We then raised our concerns over the garbage menace on Khariwado beach, still nothing was done to resolve the issue. And now we are facing a major problem of woodchips spilled from berth number 11 of MPT and washed ashore at Khariwado beach thereby affecting our operations. The situation at Khariwado is such that the whole beach is covered in woodchips,” complained Custodio D’Souza, OCFCOCS president.
“We feel that our MLA as well as the municipal councillors should take a note of the same and put pressure on MPT to ensure that such menace is stopped completely,” he said.
D’Souza threatened to launch a street agitation if the woodchip menace is not stopped.
Meanwhile, when Herald contacted Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida over the grievance of Khariwado fishermen, he said, “Till date the issue was not brought to my notice. However, if such thing has happened, then it is highly objectionable. After inspecting the site tomorrow, I will take up the matter with MPT officials.”
