The fishing community in Goa, which had previously approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protest the proposed expansion of coal berths at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), has expressed strong criticism against the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for granting environmental and Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ) clearances to MPA’s projects involving the redevelopment of berths 8 and 9, as well as the barge berth.
Various societies, including Baina Ramponkar and Fishing Canoe Owners, St Andre Canoes Owners, St Francis Xavier Fishing Canoe Owners, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE), and Goencho Ekvott, had previously filed an appeal with the NGT challenging the Environment Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance granted to South West Port Limited (SWPL), a project of JSW, aimed at doubling the cargo handling capacity from 7.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 15 mtpa.
These newly granted clearances for berths 8 and 9 will further escalate the combined cargo handling capacity of these berths from 13 mtpa to 19.5 mtpa.
GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes voiced concerns that the approved clearances for the barge redevelopment berths also involve reclaiming sea areas and dredging beaches, both of which could strain Goa’s natural resources and jeopardize the livelihoods of fishing communities in the future. Simoes indicated that their group will study the new ECs and then decide on their course of action, considering the past flawed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report and the discrepancies it contained.
The fishing community is demanding clarification from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant regarding his previous statement in the Legislative Assembly that the railway double tracking project is not intended for coal transport. Simoes highlighted the contradiction between the Chief Minister’s statement and the recent decisions made by MoEF&CC and MPA’s expansion plans, which seemingly contradict the aim of capping or reducing coal handling capacity in the state.
He lamented that the government was not paying attention to the Supreme Court’s stance that the entire proposed route for the double tracking project from Kulem to Vasco da Gama should be scrapped as its not economically viable, and that existing infrastructure from Krishnapatnam Port can be used for transportation of coal to industries based in North Karnataka. He further emphasised that the recent developments around MPA’s coal handling suggest the establishment of a coal hub to cater to Karnataka’s steel plants, potentially harming Goa’s environment.
GRE Vice-President Camilo Souza raised concerns over how the Port Limits could negatively impact various stakeholders, including fishermen, shack owners, and tourists, limiting their access to the beach. He criticized the Port’s influence overruling the Coastal Zone Management Plan’s (CZMP) CRZ lines, which are designed to safeguard coastal communities and fragile coastal ecosystems. Souza expressed fear that if MPA’s projects proceed, these crucial protections could be compromised.