In a letter addressed to several government authorities, the All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) has raised grave concerns over the rampant illegal sand mining activities taking place at various spots along the Mandovi river.
According to the letter, the alleged illegal sand mining is occurring at night in areas such as the Chorao river banks, Divar Island banks, Vanxim Island banks, Naroa river bank, and Tikhazan river bank. The union president, Shaila D’Mello, states that these sand mining activities have severely damaged the marine ecology and disrupted the fishing activities in the region.
The AGSSRFU considers the sand mining activities to be detrimental to the livelihoods of the fishing community, as the river bed has been significantly damaged due to the extraction of sand. The Union has urged the authorities to take immediate steps to prevent the illegal sand extraction, storage, and transportation through canoes and trucks.
The letter has been addressed to the CoP, North Goa Collector, Deputy Collector, Director of Mines and Geology, DySP, SP (Coastal Security), and Director of Fisheries.
The AGSSRFU has called for prompt action from the authorities to address the illegal sand mining activities that are threatening the ecological balance and the livelihoods of the local fishing community in the Mandovi river. ‘Parasailing boats in Zuari scare away fish, tear nets along Vaiguinim coast’
MARGAO: In a letter addressed to the Director of Tourism and the Department of Fisheries, the All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) has expressed concerns over the disruption caused by parasailing boats operating from a starred resort located at Vaiguinim beach near Dona Paula. According to the letter, the parasailing boats are entering the Zuari river, reaching as far as the Cacra village waterfront, and causing significant disturbances to the local fishing community. The Union has further added that the high-powered motors of these boats, some with nearly 200 HP, are generating intense sound frequencies that are driving fish away from the river.
The letter further states that the parasailing activities are leading to the tearing of fishing gillnets, resulting in financial losses for the fishermen. The disruption is being experienced from Vaiguinim beach to the Cacra beach fishing communities, according to the Union.
The AGSSRFU has urged the respective authorities to take immediate and necessary steps to curtail the parasailing activities in the Zuari river, in order to protect the livelihoods of the local fishing community.