Saturday 29 June 2019

Press Statement in support of Rama Kankonkar and Arturo D’Souza

The undersigned organisations and individuals strongly condemns attempts of the State Government in collusion with vested interests to tag Rama Kankonkar and Arturo D’Souza - well known for their activities in defence of ecology and environment – based on letter inward at Agassaim Police Station. This fact came to light when few days ago Rama Kankonkar was called at the Agassaim Police Station after serving call letter. It is fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect environment under Article 51-A(g) of the Constitution of India. However over the past few years Rama Kankonkar as well as Arturo D’Souza has been harassed and subjected to private violence making mockery of the law and order situation in Goa while engaged in task of environment protection especially with regard inclusion of PDAs to urbanise, protection of Chimbel lake from proposed IT park and movement to protect Bondvol lake at Santa Cruz village and get it recognise as Wetland. 

Both Arturo and Rama are also outspoken about the illegal fishing in Zuari River by use of trawl nets and purse seine nets and offered their support to traditional fishing community using Gill nets. Currently Rama and Arturo are contributing immensely towards study of Coastal Management Plan (CZM) that is to come up for Public Hearing on July 07, 2019, and creating awareness in different parts of Goa specially Tiswadi. Rama Kankonkar is also courageous to expose CRZ violations carried on the banks of Cumbharjua River by brother of Goa’s Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte.

The undersigned organisations and individuals strongly condemn today afternoon’s act of violence on Rama Kankonkar’s private car parked at his residence in Curca suffering damage. This act of violence is carried on in order to instill fear and silence vibrant voice of Rama Kankonkar. This latest attack not only reflects growing frustration of the vested corporate interests out to destroy environment of Tiswadi Taluka but also collapse of the Law and Order machinery in the State of Goa. Goa’s Home Minister must resign immediately as he has failed to provide adequate security to Rama Kankonkar.

We pledge our support to Rama Kankonkar who is also the office bearer of GAKUVED and Arturo D’Souza till Justice is done, violence stops, Environment protected, ecology restored and urbanising trends reversed.

Show cause notice to Reliance Jio mobile tower at Tonk, Candola



Saturday 22 June 2019

Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011

Here is the link to the Coastal Regulation Zone Regulation of 2011 popularly known as CRZ notification 2011. Under this notification currently public hearings are planned for July 07, 2019 for North Goa and South Goa and draft coastal management plan is prepared without consulting people of Goa. Guidelines for preparation of Coastal Zone Management Plans are available at Annexure 1 on Page 18. Please visit links below:


http://www.environmentwb.gov.in/pdf/wbsczma/CRZ-Notification-2011.pdf

Code Of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries

Code Of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries, 1995 was enacted as an further extension of chapter on fisheries in UN Convention on the laws of the Seas 1982. This Code of Conduct is the first attempt to induct ethics in fisheries practices. Here is the links to this Code of Conduct.

http://www.fao.org/3/a-v9878e.pdf


India's National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017

National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 has included implementation of SSF guidelines as well as Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 1995. Here is the link:

http://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/National%20Policy%20on%20Marine%20Fisheries%202017_0.pdf

Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries

Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication has been formulated over the period of many years and completed in 2015. India too was part of the formulating team. Here is link to this document that is Internationally known as "SSF Guidelines":

http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4356en.pdf


Fisheries related important linked documents

Fisheries related important linked documents:

1. Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in 1995


2. To enforce Code of conduct SSF guidelines were enacted in 2015:





3. Both Code of Conduct and SSF guidelines are incorporated in India's National Marine Policy: 


4. Goa Fishing Laws:




5. Fisheries department directions: