PANAJI: About two kilometres away in your turtle nesting site on Morjim beach extend from Pernem taluka, nearby lovers of Vithaldas wada have shot up building of a cement wall around the shore.
While the building might have environmentalists aghast, the episode has brought to light the plight of communities dependent on fishing for livelihood.
The rise in extreme weather events such as Cyclone Tauktae along with also the sand erosion, and both due to climate change, have a catastrophic effect on the lives of cyclists communities.
Frustrated following their canoes and fishing nets have been damaged as a result of influence of Cyclone Tauktae, the anglers said they chose to take things in their hands and started construction of the cement walls.
“A proposal was pending with the water resources division because 2017 and the thing has been pursued by chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Through time, no anti-erosion steps are taken up depending on the suggestion.
For several decades now, anglers are requesting government to supply for shelters because of their canoes and also to keep their fishing gear, but nothing has been completed, leaving fishing grounds to confront loses every time water level increases,” stated panch associate of Vithaldas wada Vilas Morje, including the wall has been constructed is by no means damaging the turtle nesting website, which will be at any distance.
The fishermen stated from the lack of a Coastal Zone Management Plan for Goa, the demarcation of all 100 mts land region in the high tide line is not yet been consumed, booking this region solely for fishing tasks.
“In the absence of this coastal strategy, the resorts have encroached within this area that’s in 100mts from the high tide .
So there’s not any way for people to pull on our canoes from the street’s direction to security.
On the shore side, sand erosion is significantly decreasing the diameter of the stretch and also exposing our gear to the effects of the waves.
To split this effect, we’re building the 190ms very long wall,” said a fisherman.
A cement wall built from WRD, covering approximately two slopes of the coastal stretch from Morjim, currently exists, to crack the effect of the waves.
Officials, however, didn’t affirm Thursday if a proposition was pending for building of an anti-erosion arrangement for its Vithaldas wada stretch.
However, it isn’t just true with Morjim.
Fishermen around Polem shore stretch in Canacona will also be facing a similar threat for their livelihood, without any steps coming from the country.
Fishermen Ankush Pagi stated the authorities should help them with a sanctuary to house their fishing vessels and fishing nets, in lack of that they must leave the gear on the shore.
Through time, Polem shore extend in Canacona has endured significant sand erosion as well as the problem has worsened today by the effects of Cyclone Tauktae with many casuarina trees .
“A very simple glance at the condition of the shore at current is telling how, if a few protective steps aren’t taken to a priority, there’ll be rough days ahead not just for the anglers but people living close to the beach also,” explained Pagi.