RAJKOT: The fishing community along the Saurahstra coast and environment activists have expressed concern over the state government’s plan to dump the effluent from industries in Jetpur, Rajkot into deep sea near Porbandar.
The Gujarat government has proposed a Rs 700 crore pipeline project to transport treated water from the common effluent treatment plants (CETP) in Jetpur to Porbandar.
The fishing community has raised concern over the impact of the project on future of fishing industry that thrives on exports to Europe and US.
They apprehend that dumping of effluent into deep sea will not only adversely impact the fish population but also contaminate the marine organisms.
According to fishermen, the project will affect fishing activity in Porbandar, Veraval, Mangrol and Okha, where over 30,000 people are engaged directly with the fishing business.
Fish production along Saurashtra coast is about 6 lakh tonnes per year, out of which 2 lakh tonnes is exported resulting in earning of Rs 5,000 crore annually.
Shree Akhil Gujarat Macchimar Mahamandal (AGMM), representing the fishing community in the state, on Monday, wrote to chief minister Vijay Rupani demanding suspension of the effluent pipeline project.
“The fishermen community is already in financial distress due to Covid-induced lockdown worldwide and the recent cyclones that ravaged the fishing villages.
Several factories having units on the coast are already polluting the sea.
Many species of fish are already on the verge of extinction.
If Jeptur’s polluted water is discharged into the sea, it will ruin the future fishing prospects.” Gopal Fofandi, president of AGMM told TOI, “This is a very serious issue as it will destroy the entire seafood industry.
If our concerns are not heard, we are willing to fight it out.” President of Porbandar Fishermen’s Association, Bharat Modi said “The polluted water (from Jetpur) will kill the fish in area 15 nautical mile from the shore where the small fishermen do fishing.
If the government wants to spend this much money they should make a plan to use treated water for irrigation or in the industry.” Environment activist Rohit Prajapati said that industries have already polluted water of Sabarmati water and Mahi rivers.
“Here the government will be creating more problems than solving the pollution issue in Bhadar river.
The polluted water in the sea will not only reduce the catch but it will contaminate the seafood which may affect human health and directly impact the revenue of the fishing community.”