Jungle law reigns in River Zuari

Not withstanding any inputs yesterday from Coastal Security Police at Ribandar, Goa, purseining fishing boats carried on illegal fishing in full gusto today morning in Zuari river contributing greatly to the depletion of fish by use of banned fishing purse seine fishing nets within 5 kms from the Odxel shoreline. Around 80 purse seine boats carried on this illegality early morning today along with 5 trawlers that dig river bed disrupting marine ecology and livelihood of traditional fishing communities.

One is compelled to conclude that there is complete break down of fisheries department as well as Coastal security police. Fishermen who call up fisheries department are threatened by some vested interests with violence in Arabian Sea. Rule of law has departed from Zuari and Jungle law has reigned in due the utter lethargy displayed by Home Ministry and Fisheries Ministry. Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State condemns the operation of Jungle law in River Zuari. One wonder as to what right Fisheries Minister, Secretary (fisheries), and director of fisheries has to continue to hold on to their office? Shamila Monteiro was chucked out as Director of Fisheries for failure to stop illegal fishing in River Zuari. The lone IAS officer who cracked down on illegal fishing was Govind Jaiswal. Current leadership of fisheries department is a mega flop show that must immediately stop.

Time for Three in Goa Fisheries Department to resign!

There has been huge awareness of threat to health caused by consumption of fish laced with Chemicals like Formalin in particular. This is an extremely good sign that fish consumers are awake and asking questions. However there is a disturbing trend too when it comes to issue of safety of fisheries as well as protection of fish habitats in Goa's waters. It is observed that consumers do not have adequate information and therefore concern on these issues to the extend needed. There is strategic disconnect between fishers and fish consumers. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit currently also involved is defending fishing habitats in Zuari river in collaboration with local fishers for the past four years after invitation from fishing communities from Odxel, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim and Siridao with principle of Empathetic Engagement . Some of the major challenges that needs urgent public attention are listed below.

Illegal Trawling and illegal purse seine fishing deserves focus here. Fishers from the above listed villages on November 15, 2017 were promised 24 hour patrolling by the Goa Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyenkar and Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardessai in presence of Talegao MLA Jenifer Montserrat at Goa Legislative Assembly. Assurance was also given to increase the fine for illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine boats from Rs.100/- to Rs.50,000/-. However till date this assurance remains unfulfilled. 

In the meanwhile aggression on Zuari river is as intense as ever as evident from the community monitoring records maintained by the Siridao-Odxel coastal fishers. On 18/08/2018 there were 10 trawlers at 8.00 pm carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari. Three of them very close to Siridao Coast. On 23/08/2018 five trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 6.00 am. On 24/08/2018 around 40 mini purse seine boats carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 6.00 am and four trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 8.00 am.

It has been observed by fishing communities of this coast that when telephone calls are made to fisheries department no action is initiated. On the contrary mobile numbers with names of complaining fishers are shared with the offending trawlers and purse seine boat owners who in turn call up fishermen in Zuari who complain and threaten. Due to this flop show at Goa Fisheries Department control room and negligence in installing 24 hours patrolling of Zuari river there is likely situation of law and order problem. Coastal Police too has responsibility to stop illegal fishing but they too are relaxed about it for the reasons best known to them.

The consequence of this situation is severe. Goa's own marine biologist Aaron Lobo has scientifically demonstrated the huge damage that trawlers cause while fishing. He has compared it to the massive razing of forest on land above water. Because of this damage fishermen in Goa and other parts of India organised themselves and late Mathany Saldanha played pivotal role towards this. Purse seine nets catches tiny fish life and threat of fish depletion is severe. By law both trawling and purse seine nets are are banned within five kilometers from the shore.

Fishers in Fisheries department are well aware of the various problems faced by these coastal communities. In case any public member wants evidence then it can be procured by filing RTI application at Fisheries department seeking all the letters received from Bharat Mukti Morcha from 2014 to 2018.

The only serious officer of Goa administration who wanted to help these communities is Govind Jaiswal, IAS who was Secretary (Fisheries) as well as Director. Because of his helpful approach he has been replaced by new Secretary Daulat Hawaldar, IAS. (This decision is taken under pressure from corporate interests linked to waters sports after Jaiswal took up steps initiate study on effects of water sports on fishing and marine ecology). Looking at the daily violations in Zauri river it can be safely concluded that Mr. Halwaldar along with the Director V. Arlekar are incompetent, inefficient and irresponsible as fisheries administration in has witnessed colossal collapse. 

On August 14, 2018 these fishermen were called to the Fisheries Department for a meeting with Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyenkar, Secretary (Fisheries) Daulat Hawladar, Director of Fisheries Vinesh Arlekar, Deputy Director Smita Muzumdar, Deputy Director C. Velip and Superintendent of Fisheries Chandresh. After listening to the problems expressed by fishers delegation led by Sanjay Pereira Secretary (Fisheries) Daulat Hawaldar assured to make a difference, a break from past. 

Alas! his promise now has proved to be an empty one. Minister of Fisheries Vinoda Palyenkar has lost his daring bearing that his has displayed at the start of his innings as minister and now is merely behaves as a caged rat of the illegal fishing mafia. His performance record that raised hope is turning into trigger of despair. We hardly need such behavior from a minister in Goa. He has facilitated diversion of Mhadei to vested interest in Karnataka in his capacity as Water Resources Minister by planned mismanagement at Mhadei Tribunal, and sold Zuari to illegal trawlers and illegal purse seiners. Situation in Zuari has degraded to the same level as during tenure of Dr. Shamila Monteiro who was removed from her post as director of fisheries. Now all the top leadership of Fisheries department must be thrown out. This includes Vinoda Palyenkar the Minister of Fisheries, Daulat Hawaldar, Secretary (Fisheries) and Director Vinesh Arlekar. All of them are proved irresponsible. Time for all three to resign and go as there is total collapse of administration on Zuari river.

Sebastiao Rodrigues

Director of Fisheries delay in withdrawing NOC to water sports in Zuari River

Date: 07^th February 2018

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa, Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Director of Fisheries delay in withdrawing NOC to water sports in Zuari River

Sir,

We have submitted letter dated 17^th November 2017 to the office of the Director of Fisheries, Panjim on 24^th November 2017 calling for the withdrawal of NOC granted to Aqua sail to carry on water sports in River Zuari due to disturbance to fishing activites. However we have noted that even after two months we have no intimation of any action taken on our letter to withdraw said NOC. As an IAS officer Director’s delay is unacceptable and hence we call upon your intervention here with immediate attention as you have done in past may occasions.

We had communicated to Director of Fisheries that water sports boats operated in River Zuari disturbs fishing activities. As you may be aware one of the main conditions to grant NOC for water sports is that the fishermen and fishing activities should not be disturbed. Due to the noise of the engine of water sports boats fish availability has reduced near Nauxi-Bambolim coast thereby causing suffering to the fishing communities. In addition fishing nets get entangled with water sports boats and tear off. Water sports boats in Zuari has become total nuisance to the fishermen fishing in River Zuari and violation of terms of conditions of NOC.

Problems arise due to net space clashing with water sports boats space in river Zuari. Fishing nets gets trap to water sports boats. Fishermen there in Zuari put out Gill nets in the morning and pull back in the evening. These nets gets entangle with under water fans of water sports boats and gets cut off. If it cuts then it has to be tied again immediately. If not then two pieces of nets drifts away in water, when this happens net gets destroyed. If some other fishermen go in river unaware of torn nets then that fishing boat too gets entangle and engine goes off. Machine shaft suffer damage with its ropes. Water sports boats have more powerful machinery and the floating nets gets cut off while our boat machinery cannot cut ropes and so gets entangle leading to financial loss.  Very often these torn fishing nets gets entangle with our own boats when we go out searching our nets. In addition to this it creates problem of Ghost fishing when fish gets trapped in these open floating torn nets in river.

We therefore request you the following:

1.     Issue directions to the Director of Fisheries to withdraw NOC granted to Aquasail for water sports operations in River Zuari with immediate effect.

2.     Immediately set up Fisheries Defence Study Cell at the Directorate of Fisheries to know the impact of water sports on Fishermen all over Goa. We have noted concerns of Fishermen from Morjim expressed during your Fishermen dialogue meeting in January 2018 that Gautam Singhania’s water sports boats in Chapora River are also disrupting fishing activities of local fishermen in Morjim. This must not be allowed to take place and Department of Fisheries without delay set up Fisheries Defence Study Cell and set off pro-active initiatives as large number fishermen are voiceless and you have to be their voice.

We assure you of our co-operation and support to you.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit  

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

Socorro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxi Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener, Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

Ms. Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar,

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel

Uttam Martins

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

Rohit Hadkonkar,

Co-convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanju Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit,

Chandrakanth Rosario

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Vijay Sawant

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Shocking disappearance of Zuari coast fishermen from WAPCOS EIA to MPT

Date: 28^th April 2017

To,

Member Secretary,

Goa State Pollution Control Board,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to EIA on redevelopment of berth 8, 9 and Barge berth at MPT

Sir,

This is to bring to your notice that above mentioned Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) has totally ignored existence of fishing villages and fish landing stations on the Zuari river bank. Villages such as Madkai, Aggasaim, Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra, Odxel, Dona Paula and Caranzalem are totally missing in EIA even though they are located within 10 kms radius from MPT site of proposed re-development of berth 8, 9 and Barge berth.

Sir, we have an apprehension that this has been deliberately done by WAPCOS at the instance of MPT.  We strongly oppose the omission fishing villagers and fishermen from the above mentioned EIA. This is a great fraud on the part of MPT and the Government of India on Goa.

We also protest hiding of the key information of this project in the above cited EIA that all this has been done for the benefit of Vedanta owned Goa Sea Port Pvt Ltd. Vedanta Barges are already clashing with fishermen in Zuari and Mandovi, and Goa Fisheries department has served warning letters to several organizations of Fishermen all over Goa at the instance of Vedanta.

This project we apprehend will create a situation where in fishing in Goa’s rivers would be impossible. This situation is very grave considering that simultaneously Government of India has gone ahead and declared six rivers of Goa as National Highways.

Barges and existing shipyards along Goa’s rivers and particularly in Zuari river has already caused extensive damage. We here re-produce an extract from an exclusive interview of past Chairman of MPT Cyril George to Goa based newspaper named Herald on 17/06/2015:

People should also understand that there are so many shipyards not following environmental laws, besides there are barges along the Zuari river bay and each of these barges has created health hazards, environmental hazards besides pollution. These aspects are ignored.

Sir, When the Chairman of MPT itself speaks out the truth of barge transportation in public domain, how can MoEF grant them Environmental Clearance? Further we want to state that the Zuari river bay is within the Jurisdiction of MPT from May 24, 2000 and Chairman Cyril George’s above findings does not figure at all in above draft EIA. EIA does not share any light as to what measures MPT has taken to stop health hazards, environmental hazards and pollution caused by barges from the time its Chairman Cyril George spoke about it in public on 17/06/2015. Central Government issued gazette notification issued by Ministry of Surface Transport (Department of Shipping), (Port Wing) on May 24, 2000 declaring MPT jurisdiction over Zuari river and its coast covering Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim, Odxel, Dona Paula, Siridao, Sancoale and Cortalim Coast signed by:

“On the East – All the waters of River Zuari, West of Agassaim – Cortalim Ferry (Excluding the ferry and the landing stages)”.

The Gazette of India (Extraordinary), Part II – Section 3 – sub – section (i) signed by K.V.Rao, Jt.Secy

Due to the above glaring fallacies in the EIA itself, EC must be rejected by MoEF. However in case EC is granted by MoEF then it will be further confirmation of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement carried widely in various newspapers by PTI on 06/09/2012 that MoEF is a corrupt Ministry and grants EC clearances based on collection of bribes from corporate and turns blind eye to rampant illegalities in Goa.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

       Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Goa Unit

Illegal trawling in Zuari close to Shores of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel

Date: 07/03/2017

To,

Secretary (Fisheries),

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

To,

Superintendent of Police (Coastal Security),

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Illegal trawling in Zuari close to Shores of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel

Dear Sir,

There has been sudden rise in the incidents of illegal trawler fishing in Zuari river very close to coast of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel.

You are requested to urgently attend to this and remedy the situation. The current system of patrolling from fisheries department as well as Police suffers from serious deficiency and that’s how illegalities in Zuari from Trawlers continue unabated in spite of our telephonic complaints so far.

Your urgent attention is required to restore order in Zuari by totally stopping trawlers from carrying illegal fishing. Our support and co-operation will always be extended to you in whatever manner possible.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

         Sd/-

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

        Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit  

         Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

         Sd/-

Soccoro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

         Sd/-

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

        Sd/-

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

       Sd/-

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

        Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

       Sd/-

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

      Sd/-

Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

       Sd/- 

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxi Unit

        Sd/-

Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

      Sd/-

Manguesh Sawant,

Odxel unit

       Sd/-

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

      Sd/-

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

      Sd/-

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit 

      Sd/-

Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener, Cacra unit

Goa Fisheries department called to defend fishing interest against marinas

Date: 27th October 2015

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Fisheries),

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Fishing rights violations in Zuari river due to MPT proposed marinas

Sir/Madam,

We write to you to express our complete opposition to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) proposed two Marinas in Zuari river to cater to the high end tourists. One of them is in Bambolim and second one in Sancoale as per declaration of then Acting Chairman and Deputy Chairman of MPT Mr.Cyril George to press on April 8, 2015 in Panjim. The villagers engaged in fishing activities in Tiswadi taluka are directly affected specially from the villages of Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao, Agassaim, Goa Velha, and Dona Paula are affected in North Goa while Sancoale, Cortalim, etc villages are affected in South Goa. The decision of MPT to construct Marinas earlier in Nauxi was opposed on 05 December 2010 and the links to Times of India report is here for your ready reference:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Nauxi-meet-opposes-MPT-marina-plans/articleshow/7049993.cms

Villagers successfully opposed this ill-conceived project of the MPT and now after four years and four months is sought to implement the same project all over again, this time in Bambolim and additional one at Sancoale.

Curca-Telaulim-Bambolim Panchayat in fact passed Gram Sabha resolution against proposed marina on January 30, 2011 on grounds that it would adversely affect the traditional fishing activities of the villagers. The villagers also argued that the waterfront would spell ecological disaster to the village as it require dredging of the river and construction on the waterfront both of which would affect the flow of water. You may access links online of the report published in Times of India:

http://goachronicle.com/gram-sabha-opposes-mpts-marina-project/

The village Panchayat of Curca-Telaulim-Bambolim-Nauxim Gram Sabha on 19^th April 2015 has already expressed its unanimous opposition to the proposed Marinas in Zuari river. Why should serving high end tourists in the form of marinas spell dead end to local fisher people on the banks of Zuari river? This is important to answer.

Our understanding is that this decision is declaration of war against indigenous people as first land was taken over for Goa University, International Centre, Aldeia de Goa, Grand Hyatt, and now Zuari river too is being taken away without our consent. Truly arrogant plus dictatorial way of functioning intended towards complete destruction of livelihood based on fishing threatening food security. Aldeia de Goa and Grand Hyatt are starred hotels serving tourists and are illegitimately occupying land of local tribal people’s homeland. This is nature of aggression perpetuated on indigenous people of Goa in the name of tourism on land. And now this aggression on indigenous people including ST. OBC people has been extended into Zuari river. We have not forgotten MPT aggression on Cacra village in 1997 when it permitted Timblos to construct Offshore Stockyard and Berth (OSB) that was opposed successfully by the villagers.

Kindly convey our views of firm opposition to your seniors at the Union Ministry of Shipping as pleasure of high end tourists cannot be allowed to take priority and push fishing communities into dead end.

The Lease agreements of 12 and 14 October 2010 – one in Nauxim of MPT with Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd and another in Sancoale of MPT with Yacht heavens Pvt Ltd – has written clause to allow free flow of Barges undisturbed “The LESSEE shall take all precautions to ensure that barge movements are not affected during the construction as well as operation period of the Marina” and fishermen are not even acknowledged to have been existing and fishing even though fisheries department, Government of Goa has issued licenses to several people to carry on fishing in Zuari River.

We hereby advise you to convey to the Union Ministry of Shipping in New Delhi that Marinas in Zuari will adversely affect fishing activities and that ask for the cancellation of these plans to set up marinas in Zuari River. The affected locations from where people come and fish in Zuari river includes Caranzalem, Nerul, Dona Paula, Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao, Goa Velha, Agacaim, Madkai, Cortalim, Sancoale, Chicalim, Vasco etc.

Any attempt to forcefully bulldoze marinas that are stalled due to public pressure for past 5 years will have serious repercussions for the lives of fishing community. Needless to say that already aggravated situation will further deteriorate. We have already documented this deteriorating condition for your ready reference at http://www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in/search/label/Fishing

We urgently call upon you to protect interest of fishing in Zuari without compromising in any way from lobbies connected to tourism, shipping, prostitution and gambling.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours sincerely,

        Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Goa State 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

          Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

         Sd/-

Amir Mardolkar

Co-convenor, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Nauxi Unit