Date: 04th January 2016
Bharat Mukti Morcha takes strong objections to the Union Minister Nitin
Gadkari’s comments on traditional fishermen of Zuari River. Two days ago while
on Goa visit Nitin Gadkari advised Government publicly to rent out one trawler
for four fishermen so that they can carry on fishing 12 nautical miles into
Arabian Sea. This he said because traditional fishermen has been involved in
protest against Marinas in Zuari for over past 5 years at Sancoale and
Nauxim-Bambolim.
Bharat Mukti Morcha rejects this advice of Nitin Gadkari. Mr. Gadkari advise
has not originated from any concern for traditional fishermen of Goa but out of
concern for marinas and luxury tourism. Gadkari’s advise is a great insult to
the traditional fishermen from Zuari coast. Gadkari is not neither aware of
what the traditional fishing is nor what the trawling is and the difference
between the two. Further Gadkari’s comments have origin in greed of the luxury
tourism. For greed even the entire planet is not enough. If the luxury hotels
on the Zuari coast are not able to carry on then they must close down and hand
over the land to the people of Nauxim and Bambolim for whom it originally and
rightfully belongs. Bharat Mukti Morcha advises Mr. Nitin Gadkari not to engage
in such free advice to the Fishermen of Zuari Coast. If Marinas does not come
up in Zuari river fishermen should not be held responsible. The culprit is
Murmagoa Port Trust (MPT) who has ignored fishermen totally in both the October
2010 Lease agreements on Marinas signed with Kargwal Constructions, Mumbai and
another one with Yatch Heavens owned by Chowgules known for ecological
destruction of Goa.
Mr.Gadkari looks at fishermen of Zuari River as the last hurdle for Marinas
after getting rid of Alina Saldanha as Environment Minister and Nitin Sawant as
member of State Bio-diversity board. What is most surprising is that no
Fisherman has ever approached Nitin Gadkari to seek advice on how they should
be conducting their fishing and where. Mr.Gadkari must stop interfering with
traditional fishermen of Goa. Bharat Mukti Morcha will continue to strongly
defend traditional fishermen. Trawling and mini per seining are technologically
driven yet ecologically unsustainable ways of fishing and Bharat Mukti Morcha
has already filed objections on behalf of traditional fishermen in this regard
and accepted by Goa government.
Sd/-
Maggie Silveira
President
For more info visit Fishing folder at www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in
