What does it take for a successful defence of Marine eco-system?

What does it takes for a successful defence of a marine ecosystem: a view through the Window panes oyster lenses as it is schedule I specie in India classified under Wildlife Protect Act

Case of Goa's Zuari estuary connecting Arabian Sea

1. Detection of threats to ecosystems

Example leasing out of 2 lakh square meters of water territory to private companies by government of India for two Marinas- Nauxim and Sancoale in October 2010 for 30 years (upto 2040)

2. Shouldering of long term responsibility for resistence. Example Adv. Suresh Palkar who shouldered responsibility for 13 years

3. Formation of team of fishers with intimate understanding of Marine ecosystems. Example Bharat Mukti Morcha 

4. Good State Environment Minister. Example Alina Saldanha

5. Good Goa State Bio-diversity Board leadership. Example Prof. Nitin Sawant

6. Good local Political leadership Late Vishnu Wagh and current legislator of the locality Viresh Borkar

7. Insightful understanding of labour of fishers - men and women. Work shapes not just body muscles but also bone structure. Example studied through medical observations by Lorette Joyce Pinto who is a renowned artist of Goa and teaches at Goa College of Art, Panjim. 

8. Good academic-public bridge building. Example Prof. Ramrao Wagh of Goa University.

9. Good Fisheries scientific research work. Example Prof Baban Ingole of NIO (National Institute of Responsibility) and Dr. Shreekant G.B of ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research).

10. Building local Fisheries Union. Example All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union.

11. Building and connecting with National level organisation. Example NPSSFW and its policy interventions.

12. Building International network. Example through website www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in 

13. Favorable media. Example empathasing with small scale fishing communities

14. Collective decision making.  Example collective strategies. Avoiding violence as form of protest at all cost. 

Pending challenges: 

1. Goa's rivers as National Waterways 

2. Inclusion of Mormugao Port under Major Ports Act 2021

3. Rising coastal pressures due to saleable tourist image of Goa

Windowpane oyster as a symbol of resistence and defence of Zuari estuary ecosystem in Goa.

Sebastian Rodrigues

December 03, 2023

COP 28, Dubai