Siridao protests against section 39-A: some reflections

Just like so many sites in Goa protests have hit Siridao village on the banks of Zuari river. Principal target of protests section 39-A of TCP Act used for conversion of Private Forest land, natural slopes into settlement Zone.

After protests in the village on 19th February 2026 dissent got escalated with protests a TCP office at Panjim on 21st February 2026. Protesters were lifted up violently after people remained squating at night outside the doors of TCP office at Dempo towers. This time amongst those who were violently lifted out with police force includes St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.

Arch.Tahir Noronha has provided factual status about this land matter in his online video posted on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVDUB9dj5dL/?igsh=MTB0eTBqaDlxYmJxMg==

Do or die call is given against section 39-A and mass protests are ongoing today 23 February 2026 at Azad Maidan. 

It's Dempos who has effected change of zoning of nearly 76,000 square meters of hilly forest land of Siridao village under tribal people cultivation of vegetables for several generations even before 1968 Land Revenue Code made Goa's land sale-able. This is the law that introduced notorious Form I &XIV which imposed regime of private property decisively on Goa nearly kicking out communal land ownership laws of 1961 without formal repeal. 

Land protests in Goa have barely understood this and instead of targeting Goa Land Revenue Code 1968 - that gave "occupants " status of ownership to enter into negotiations under Transfer of Properties Act -  have launched war on section 39-A of TCP Act. Something drastically wrong in land legal governance regime in Goa. This wrong is what actually facilitated land control to eco-criminals like Dempos who massacred Goa's forests through mining for half a century.

While it is important to demonize section 39-A and get it knocked off along with all the Zone changes effected under the same provision, it is of pivotal importance to get up for long drawn struggle to repeal Land Revenue Code itself, revoke land titles granted under the same and restore communal ownership of land as per 1961 law that debars sale of land. Land, water, air, ocean, rivers, seas are essence of nature where humans should not interfere to buy and sell and should be kept out of cspitalist economy logic and must be retained as natural economy components. Anything less than this is surely, though gradually destined to take Goa to ruins and its people into slavery. 

The war needs to be intelligently waged and battles shrewdly fought. This needs some hard decisions, some out-of-box thinking and grace of God too. 

Siridao has been consistently in forefront land defence protests over past few decades. Siridao also fought in defence of its beach being declared as Blue Flag designation with exclusive use rights to tourists. Village has several well known predators with Dempos being one of the cleverest one who subdued the villages through free distribution of canji (pez) on village feast Sunday after Easter. Village also has new entrant predators such as one of the siblings of Goa Tourism Minister putting up construction next to beach and repeated efforts at blocking traditional beach access that villagers had to fight against. Siridao has beautiful beach as well as river and the large land is within ambit of CRZ regime. Palem portion of the village is predomintantly inhabitants by tribal people - Gawdas who are classified as Scheduled Tribes engaged in active cultivation of hillside that was captured by Dempos allegedly through various illicit means, not surprising considering its their common practice of aquiring land of Goa.

Siridao also have large portion of its population working in various European countries. Village is famous for its fishing, toddy taping, hillside cultivation, its articulate citizen Simon Afonso and well known artist Loretti Pinto whose art "Prayers of the faithful (2024)" depicting section 39-A in Goa's topography goes along with this blog post.

We join people of Siridao in Solidarity!

Complaint against Illegal Purse seine fishing in Zuari river near Siridao Coast by cannoe MRF-261-VSG named St. Anthony on 28 December 5.25 am

Date: 31 December 2024

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa 

To,

Captain of Ports, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Complaint against Illegal Purse seine fishing in Zuari river near Siridao Coast by cannoe MRF-261-VSG named St. Anthony on 28 December 5.25 am

Madam/Sir,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union wish seeks your urgent attention.

There is fresh incident of violation of fishing laws banning mechanised fishing with 5 kms from the shore. 

On 28th December 2024 at 5.25 am it was detected that cannoe bearing registration number MRF-261-VSG named ST. ANTHONY in Zuari river close to Siridao coast.

You are therefore called upon to immediately take note of this and initiate action as it constitutes violation Goa Bench of Bombay High Court directions in writ petition no. 2844/23

We have video evidence of the violation and if you need we will furnish the same on request. 

Awaiting your action and compliance report to the undersigned at the earliest. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Night-time Hooliganism On Beach Stretch From Dona Paula To Siridao

Date 17th September 2024

To,

Secretary (Home),

Secretariat, 

Porvorim,

Goa

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries, 

Panaji, Goa,

To,

Superitendent of Police, 

Coastal Security,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Night-time hooliganism on beach stretch from Dona Paula to Siridao

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) are obliged to bring to your urgent attention night time hooliganism on beaches on Zuari river coast from Dona Paula to Siridao beach. People visit on these beaches - often with vehicles without number plates - after 11.00 pm and spend time on beaches till morning. Sometimes males and females are together as couples. Sometimes groups of males descend on beaches with alcohol bottles. After drinking they routinely break glass bottles on beaches and close to fishing canoes creating dangerous situation for fishers. Often there are cases of narcotics consumption too. 

Please pay urgent attention to this for the sake of safety of fishing operations by canoes on a these beaches due to broken glass pieces every night.

Awaiting your response. 

Thanking You,

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Objections to Blue Flag Accredition to Siridao beach

15 April 2024

To,

The Director of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Objections to Blue Flag Accredition to Siridao beach

Sir,

We have come to know from media reports (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/crz-nod-given-for-amenities-meeting-blue-flag-standards-at-siridao-beach/articleshow/109014044.cms) that Goa Tourism Department has taken nod from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to provide Blue Flag certification to Siridao beach.

Our investigations in this regard has revealed the following insights:

1. The purpose of getting Denmark standards of Beaches is known as Blue Flag certification for portion of Siridao beach is for catering to the exclusive Tourism purpose. 

2. After interaction with gillnet fishers on Siridao Beach it is revealed that none were consulted by your office before taking the Blue Flag decision. This way of decision-making that exclude and dispense fishing communities from governance is a political tragedy.

3. The method of decision-making adopted by your office with regards to Blue Flag certification for Siridao beach threatens to expel fishing communities at Siridao from the fishing based livelihoods currently practiced at Siridao beach. This we totally object to.

4. Brief history of Blue Flag certification of Goa's Beaches reveals that Velsao and Miramar fishermen had already rejected the same during past years for creating threats to fishing occupations by intruding on to fishing boat spaces.

5. Fishing communities are bestowed with the role of "stewards" of the coast in SSF voluntary Guidelines, a piece of international law that India is signatory too. Non-consulting fishing communities on Blue Flag certification of Siridao beach therefore constitutes violation of international fishing jurisprudence and you are required to review your style of functioning vis-a-vis fishing communities on Siridao Beach and all other beaches in Goa. 

6. We request your office to maintain cleanliness of all the Beaches in Goa. Current status of Beaches in Goa including Siridao beach is pathetic. Beaches are littered with plastics and broken glass pieces. Due to wrong touristic publicity to Goa on its liberal liquor policy several groups of people are seen visiting Beaches, consuming alcohol and afterwards break the bottles on the beach itself creating health and safety issue for everyone working and visiting the beaches. This gross abuse has made several beaches in Goa including Siridao beach dangerous. You are requested to launch a program to address this rather than creating exclusive tourist use beaches with all the infrastructure objectionable to fishing communities.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) in a meeting held on 11 April 2024 examined this issue of Siridao beach from fishing perspective and decided to initiate suitable moves.

We hereby request your office to abort your plans to designate Siridao beach as Blue Flag certified destination for exclusive tourist enjoyment and stop your practice of excluding local fishing communities from the decision-making process concerning Goa's coastal and riparian geographies.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Copy to

Director of Fisheries, 

Panaji, Goa

Member-Secretary, 

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, 

Panaji, Goa

Shri Viresh Borkar,

M.L.A, 

St. Andre Constituency,

Goa

Sarpanch, 

Village Panchayat,

Siridao, Goa

Blue Flag certification to Siridao beach?

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/crz-nod-given-for-amenities-meeting-blue-flag-standards-at-siridao-beach/articleshow/109014044.cms

Whom did in Siridao Tourism Department consult before taking this decision of declaring Siridao beach for Blue Flag certification?

Why fishing Orgnisations/ Associations/Unions involved in fishing activities in Zuari river not consulted?

Why did consultative mechanism has been dispensed with by Goa Government?

Why this Blue certification issue being pushed through authoritative manner?

Why no one from Tourism Department nor from Coastal Zone Management Authority visited fishing communities engaged in fishing in Zuari before taking such major decision on Siridao Beach?

Tourism Department currently treats fishing communities with contempt as is reflected from its order to do away with need for NOC from Fisheries department in August 2022. Is Blue Flag another aggression and insult to fishing communities of Zuari river that needs Red Flag from fishing communities?

Aren't fishing communities on Siridao Beach live in peace without any colour classification to the beach?

Haven't Tourism Department messaged up fishing in Mandovi River through casinos already? This Department and GTDC want to spread their invasive tentacles even further to take entire Goa captive?

This issue is not just about Siridao. It's about Tourism Department taking control of Beaches unilaterally dispensing with consultative process and issuing declarations from the ivory tower. Who gave them the authority to do so?

Few years back in 2019 Tourism Department had declared Miramar beach for Blue Flag certification. Consultation was organised by North Goa Collector. At the consultation local fishermen opposed Blue Flag certification plan and Government had to stall its plans.

The issue is about pushing back institutional invasion of Goa's coast from Tourism Department and about reclaiming also the lost grounds. We need concerted efforts in this direction in innovative ways.

Please write back with your ideas or launch your own initiatives in this direction.

Sobit Amche Ganv! Nistem Amchem Dispoto Giraiz!

Applea jivitantle moladik onbhov ani vichar amche modem vantta Joao Manuel Pinto. 

Siridao ani Nauxim  ganvant 1961 vorsa adim jem hanvem dolleamnim dekhlam ani kananim aikolam tem lokamche nodrek hadtam. Siridao Ani  Nauxim he karvi  lokamche  ganv. Portugues kaidea pormonem rampnim, xinzelam, magg doriantlem nistem dorunk,  lahn toxem vodd poneuv  ani  vodeanchim lisiençam  Captain of Ports hea kateantlean Kadchim podtalim. Lisiençam aiz pasum kadtat ani lokam laguim samballun dovorlolim asat.

Zallamchim vanxim (fish nets) bharik, lhan, modle ani motea zokachim  astalim. Bharik vaxeamchea zalanim nistem mharpak vo dorunk bondhi asli. Oxe toren Portugues sorkar nisteacho sambal kori ani nisteachi vadd zaunk pautali.

Pausachea tempar June, July, Agost moineant rampnim, xinzelam, magg doreant ghali nasle, kiteak nistem zolmon evunk adhar zatalo. Uchamboll zalelea doreant nistem tondgar svateamcher doreache thodik evum rautalim mhonn amche sorgest kharvi bhau sangtale.

Nauxe Ani Bambolim Bay-acho (doreacho) zagho uchamboll axillea doreachea adosak podta ani nisteacho jiv prann vadonk sondhi meuta.

Agostachea moineant paus khomin zatoch Setembrache survatek Siridao, Bambolim , Nauxim veller nisteachi  xeu (uvar) mhunn zatali ani bhorpur nistem zallamnim podtalem. Nistem polleun jivak umedh ani sontos bogtalo. Oxe porim nistem akhe Zuari nodient ani Arbi somdirant porsautalem. Captain-Of-Ports-ache odhikari oslea velar zallanchim topasnim (inspection) korunk goemchea vellancher bounvtale. Bharik vanxeanchea zallanim nistem dorlolem mheulear tim zallam zopt kortale.

1961 vorsa adhim zuari nodint motoracheo botti (motorboats) ani fishing trawlers nasle, fokot minacheo bharji choltaleo. Atam dista tosli uchanbollai, Zuari nodint nam mhunn Arbi somdhirant nasli.

Nauxe dhongrachem pont Zuari nodint (estuary) pauta. Te svatek amche kharvi bhav ‘Nauxe Bandear’ mhunntale. He svatecher doriant khoddpancher utpon zalelim kalvam, xinnaneo, mhendhieo (Window pane shells) kharvi bhav doriant budd mharun konchun kadtale. Toxench dorea-sukte velar Siridao Jesus Nazareth vadeant oddakodche veller lokh kubhe, tisreo, mhendhio Ani  sutte chinklantle korpun kadtale.

Nistekar Zuari nodi ani Arbi somdhirachea udexim  aplo ani aple familichem udharposon korun sukhi jietale. Tankam Govermentacho kosloch adhar  naslo.

1961 vorsa uprant jednam fishing trawlers, motorboats, zuari nodint bhitor sorle ani boraboruch doriant tourism sports suru zaunk laglo ani vadot  ghelo tednam, traditional kharvi bhavanchea pottar farr ievunk suru zalle. Itlench nuim, bhotinchea avazan ani bizlechea (light) uzvadan Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxe  bay-ant nistem tant’tiam ghallunk bhivonk laglim ani oxe toren nistem komim  zait vochonk laglem (Unauv zait ghelo).

Kaim vorsam fatim, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Bambolim velek tenkhun CRZ- ant bandhun kadlem. Tem ek illegal contruction mhonn goem bhor dass podleli. Atam legalise zalam ou Kellam astolem.

Bambolim veller aiz xinzellam ani lhan khantaeo dhovorpacheo bhond zait gheleo ani fudharak bhond zaupache vatter assa, karan veller vospacheo vatto oxhir ani bhond zait geleleo dista. Tea bhair highend touristank veller fishing kellelem bhilkul mandhonam kiteak veller zai toxi mouza touristank korunk mevonam. Itlench noim nisteacho vass hotelak lagta.

Hotelachi security rampnim-xinzelam ani magg dovrunk adkoll adunk laglea ani hadtatt. Akach lagun soimbim add udorghoticher goenkar avaz utounk fudem sorla ani sorot assa.

Corporate Houses, newspapers, TV channels (anchors), digital media, dis ani rath development projectancher advertisement ani conferences goddun haddun, projectam udexim boreponam ieunchim ani lokhank mhellchim assa tem lokamche nodre mukar dovrun , ek ‘Public Opinion’ toyar korta (manufacturing consent) fokot ‘political economink’ lagon ani  he baxen lokamchim monan dixeabull kortat.

Dusre vaten projectam voir kritik (tika) khortoleank, NGO-ank, goemchem bhorem dektoleank  projectam voir bhasabas korunk, newspapers, TV channels ani digital mediacher favo tho zaggo dinnant, karan tanche vichar ani ievzonneo projectam voir add vochot mhunn.

 

Dekik Nauxim-Marina Project

Nauxim-Bambolim bay-ant ho project bhandun haddunk MPT vo MPA -n   lease deed contrad sign kelo mhunn kobhor podlea ani IPB-n (Investment Promotion Board), soimbim kaidhea add appli porvanghi dillea. Jedhnam ho project suru kortole tednam poilim Nauxi-bhandear  thaun doriant ek robol fatrancho vado toear kortole (embankment/reclaim land). Uprant Bambolim resort-achea fudlean sukte velar doriant ek durig zalelea porim koddpam distat, taka Bambolimcho bhando munntat. Hea bhandeak thaun robolsancho bhand (embankment) toear zatolo ani uprant donuim bhandeam  modhem ek khavtem (opening) doriachem udok bhair bhitor sorpak dhovortole. Tea uprant Nauxim bay kolaitole (ustitole) ani chikoll, mati kaddun Nauxi vele vatten doriantlean zomin borun hadtole (reclaiming land) boattink (yatchs,etc )  dock korpak.

Bottinchi suvidha korunk ek doko, Fuel house, water storage tanks, Toilets, maintenance yard, staff housing, warehouse/boathouse, training centre osleo souloti bandhun haddtole. Uprant shopping centre, tourist hotels, land casinos, adi, Nauxim dongrar bandhpachi goroz podttoli. Oxem zatoch drugs, prostitution, gambling, crimes, zaun ganv chi xhanti bigottoli zoxe porim goemchea sabar ganvamnim dixtti podtta .

Itlench noim, project toyar zatoch, nisteachi pik vadot kaii?

Zuari nodint nistem porsovtolem kaii?

Vo sorkar xetam puroun , xetanim nisteacheo hatcheries (farming) korun  nisteachem bhiim doriant Ani nhodinim sodtole kaii?

Ani sorv bhonvtim vattaranim hacho faido vo luksonn zatolem kai? Osle sabar proxnn upzota.

Shirdonnchea kharvi bhavank Bambolim ani Nauxeche veller xinzelam Ani khanttalleo hea fuddem vodunk mellot Kai?  Hea projectak lagon nauxechea lokak aplea garantle umttun kaddun uddoitole Ani tankam  dusrea svateancher galtole. Oxem godot zalear te aplea nusteacho vaur he novea  svateancher thaun korunk pavot Kai? Zori tor tankam Compensation legit dilem zalear, kitlo temp legun hea compensationacher te  zogtole? Hea nustekar bhavanchea koxtank lagon sodeak sabar ganvchea lokank tajem nustem khaunk mellta, fudarak tem mevot Kai vo tankam formalinchench khauchem poddtolem? Monant Osle sabar proxnn upzotat.

Munxean apleaponank lagon soimbhacho duspott kelolo dolleam mukar dista. Desadesanim dornkamp, butteo, volcanic eruptions, sunamin, adol-moddam, adi zait assat. Apsuvartak lagon Goemchi doxea zaunk paulea. Atamcho somaz cronic capitalistamcho zala.

Adle purvoz, xinkonk nasle tori tankam zanvai asli. Zanvai-en  te cholle ani goemcho fudhar boro zauncho ani goem sodanch bhangarachem urchem mhunn tamchea kallzachi axea asli.

Atamche xinklele ani amche amdhar (goemkaramche kamdhar) apponn bhudvont ani zannar mhunn somzotat ani goemchi durdoxea kortat.

Khori zanvai xinkpa udhexim azun tankam mheuli-nam,  dekhun aiz bhangarachem Goa chiklachem Goa  zaunk paulam.

Chint munxea korchea adhim uprant rodonn faido-nam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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