Date: 21st November 2014
|
1
To,
The
Governor
Government
of Goa
Dona
Paula, Goa
|
2
To,
The
Chief Minister,
Government
of Goa
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
|
3
To,
The
Minister of Fisheries,
Government
of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
4
To,
The
Chief Secretary,
Government
of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
|
5
To,
The
Secretary (Fisheries)
Government
of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
6
To,
The
Under Secretary (Fisheries),
Government
of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa
|
|
7
To,
The
Captain of Ports,
River
Navigation Department
Panjim,
Goa
|
8
To,
The
Director,
Department
of Tourism,
Panjim,
Goa
|
|
9
To,
The
Director,
Department
of Fisheries,
Government
of Goa,
Panjim,
Goa
|
10
To,
The
Collector (North Goa),
Government
of Goa
Panjim,
Goa
|
|
11
To,
The
Mamlatdar,
Tiswadi
Taluka,
Panjim,
Goa
|
12
To,
The
Director-General of Police (DGP)
Police
Headquarters,
Panjim,
Goa
|
|
13
To,
The
Superintendent of Police (North Goa)
Porvorim,
Goa
|
14
To,
Vishnu
Surya Wagh
The
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
St.
Andre Constituency,
Goa
|
|
15
To,
The
Parish Priest,
Our
Lady of Bethlehem,
Bambolim
Goa
|
16
To
The
Sarpanch,
Village
Panchayat of Curca – Bambolim- Talaulim
Goa
|
|
17
To,
The
Sarpanch,
Village
Panchayat of Siridao
Goa
|
18
To,
The
Sarpanch,
Village
Panchayat of Taleigao,
Goa
|
|
19
To,
The
Sarpanch,
Village
Panchayat of Santa Cruz, Goa
|
20
To,
The
Parish Priest,
Our
Lady of Rosary Church,
Siridao,
Goa
|
Subject: Race war against traditional Siridao,
Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel fishermen in Zuari river by Hotel Grand Hyatt
through water sports, Trawlers and Mini Purse seining
Sir/Madam,
1.
As
you may be already aware that through water sports including speed boats Hotel
grand Hyatt has waged a war against the traditional fishermen fishing in Zuari
river on the coast of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel villages. The
chronology of the warfare politics played out over the past one year by Hotel
Grand Hyatt is as follows:
Ø November
2013 Bambolim based Hotel Grand Hyatt allows its premises for water Sports
Company named Aqua Sail. Water sports boats found sailing in the waters of
Zuari river.
Ø On
21st November 2013 fishermen petitioned against water sports to
Captain of Ports, Director of Fisheries, and concerned Panchayats of Zuari
river coast from where affected traditional fishermen hail from.
Ø On
26th November 2013 fishermen complaint against this water sports
activities harming fishing activities. These fishermen are traditional
fishermen using canoes for fishing purpose in Zuari River.
Ø On
26th November 2013 No Objection Certificate (NOC) which was granted for
water sports activities got revoked by fisheries department due to public
pressure from fishermen.
Ø 10th
December 2013 fishermen wrote detailed complaint to Goa Fisheries Minister objecting
to the water sports activities in Zuari river at Bambolim –
Nauxi-Siridao-Cacra-Odxel coast which is signed by 291 fishermen.
Ø 15th
April 2014 NOC granted for water sports by Fisheries department.
Ø 19th
April 2014 Water sports company files police complaint against fishermen of
Bambolim in Agassain Police station. Police Inspector Devendra Gad visits
Bambolim beach and confronts fishermen and slaps one fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar
at 6 pm. Fishermen called to the police station. Matter is ‘compromised’ as
Company withdraws complaint.
Ø 25th
April 2014 - 20 water sports boats found obstructing traditional fishermen in
Zuari River.
Ø 26th
April 2014 traditional fishermen launched fresh investigation as to who issued
permission to the water sports boats after their NOC being revoked on 26th
November 2014.
Ø 02nd
May 2014 then Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado visited Bambolim Beach at
12.30 pm without prior intimation to fishermen. Around 50-60 fishermen voiced
their grievances about water sports.
Ø 09th
May 2014 second letter of protest sent to Goa's Minister of Fisheries calling
for immediate cancellation of No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for speed
boats to carry on water sports activities signed by 132 affected fishermen.
Ø From
19th October 2014 water sports boats again found obstructing
traditional fishermen in Zuari River this continues till date.
Ø On
11th November 2014 officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt contacted Raghuvir
Kankonkar and offered to bribe him. Raghuvir Kankonkar is a father of Vishnu
Kankonkar who was slapped by PI Devendra Gad on 19th April 2014.
Raghuvir refused bribe citing that he is not interested in compromise and he
wants river protected for fishermen and their future generations.
Subversion
of ministry roles
It
is evident from the above chronology that there has been subversion of roles of
the fisheries ministry. Fisheries ministry that is supposed to protect the
interest of fishermen has been made to sacrifice interest of fishermen and
promote interest of the luxury tourism lobby. This is indeed very serious
development that needs sufficient analytical attention. How can Fisheries
ministry of Goa government destroy interest of fishermen? How can it in the first
place grant NOC for water sports? After the protest letter from the fishermen
NOC for water sports were revoked. And after four months and twenty days it was
granted again. That means the power of the protest from the affected fishermen
expired after this period and fresh protests had to be launched. Discussion
held by the leaders of the movement with the Director of fisheries revealed
that there has been application of political pressure to over ride the interest
of the traditional fishermen who are largely STs and OBCs. Bulldozing of the
interest of the traditional fishermen in Zuari river is in fact bulldozing of
interests of STs and OBCs. This also means coming face-to-face with reality
that Ministry of Fisheries has been working against the interest of ST and OBC
in this matter on the banks of Zuari River. This form of racial discrimination
practiced by Goa Government and Hotel Grand Hyatt needs open public
acknowledgement and then mitigation. Failing on this part could snow ball into
intensified tensions.
You are therefore
advised to take immediate measures of cancelling permissions granted for water
sports and speed boats and stop Hotel Grand Hyatt from operating their water
sports boats and stop war against traditional fishermen.
2.
Trawling
inside the Zuari River is causing great harm to the fisheries. Trawling inside
rivers is banned by law and you are advised to implement the ban and stop this
practice so deeply dangerous to sustenance of fishing by traditional fishermen.
Trawling is allowed only 5 kms away from the beach inside Arabian Sea.
3.
We
also noted that there is completely unsustainable fishing practice known as
mini Purse seining currently in vogue in Zuari river. This is carried on by
fishing vessels that are technologically equipped with under water cameras. The
mini Purse seining fishing has already caused body blow to sustainable
fisheries as the species of fish is destroyed completely with this mode of
fishing. This commands immediate attention and action. You are advised to stop
this on priority.
We
want to let you know that Whites while taking control of America from the Red
Indians resorted to mass hunting of the animals that Red Indians used to
consume for living. Chief Seattle’s speech is rich in these expressions. It was
a racist strategy by which Whites invaded American indigenous people. We are
indigenous people of India and same racist warfare strategy has been deployed
to destroy us by disrupting our traditional fishing in Zuari River through the
above three points namely Water sports, trawling and Mini Purse seining.
Awaiting
your positive response for the cause of humanity, ecology and sustainable
fisheries,
Thanking
you in anticipation.
Yours
sincerely,
Sd/-
Maggie
Silveira
President,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State Unit
Sd/-
Rahul
Gawas
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Tiswadi Taluka unit
Sd/-
Sanjay
Pereira
Convener,
Bharat Mutkti Morcha, Cacra unit
Sd/-
Rohidas
Andrade
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim unit
Sd/-
Soccoro
Braganza
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao unit
Sd/-
Anthony
Cardozo
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Curca Unit
Sd/-
Sitaram
Pereira
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Odxel Unit
Sd/-
Milind
Palkar
Convener,
Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi unit
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