Dreading dredging

Panchanama - Cavelossim - Salcete
A routine government undertaking is being heavily opposed by many of the 3,000 villagers spread across seven wards of Cavelossim panchayat. They're worried that the dredging of River Sal's mouth will lead to soil erosion and natural calamities.
So, at the recent special gram sabha, they told the Captain of Ports' official not to go ahead with the dredging project till all stakeholders submit a detailed report, including an environment impact assessment (EIA).CoP's hydrographic surveyor Sagar Chandra Rai was present at the meeting to explain the project. He said the work should start ASAP and should conclude before December. He said the CoP had received a proposal from the Cutbona trawler and boat owners to dredge the river's mouth for a better navigational channel.
Stressing that the villagers are not against dredging that would benefit fishing vessels, former sarpanch Edwin Barretto cautioned that the village's interests should also be protected. He said a meeting with the boat owners would be held shortly.
Resident Cruz Cardozo claimed a portion of Cavelossim's Mobor beach had eroded this monsoon. He wondered why the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had not submitted a report to the CoP before the latter floated the tender for the dredging project.
Resident Jack Cruz claimed the government, in the past, in the name of dredging, had only cleared the sandbar at the river's mouth. "This was pointless. Within a month the sandbar was back," added Roy Barretto, a water sports operator.
"There has to be a long-term plan," said Cruz. He added that the problem was so bad that the sandbar was blocking even small fishing boats from entering the sea, a feat they could achieve in the past even under choppy conditions.
At the moment dredging is required. During low tide the water's depth at the mouth is just one metre and fishermen struggle to navigate the channel. Roy suggested that the government set up breakwaters and an embankment so that there is no problem once the dredging is through.
Villagers further suggested the use of rocks 15m into the sea that will break the force of the waves. "I have seen how in other parts of the state the matter is taken care of with rocks that take the weight of the waves," said Cruz.
The panchayat has decided to coordinate with neighbouring Betul panchayat and other stakeholders on how to go about the issue.
Cavelossim sarpanch Viola D'Costa said, "Gram sabha members have demanded another meeting to finalize the issue, but only after CoP comes with all the necessary approvals and permissions." Locals have demanded that CoP gets NOCs for the project from GCZMA, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the state water resources department.
While CoP representatives will meet with fisherfolk in the Velim panchayat area shortly over the same issue, Cavelossim panchayat officials said they would follow up with the CoP in the next two days.
Benaulim MLA Caitu D'Silva said, "No one has come to me, whether the fisheries department, the panchayat or the captain of ports. I was waiting for them as I strongly feel that the work should be done in a proper manner and with expert supervision. Even last year they tried to do some work by taking the mud out but that was only temporary and it has to be a foolproof plan. The government otherwise will be spending (on dredging) every year and it will be a waste."
Problem problem:
Hygiene help
The village that relies largely on tourism for its revenue is upset that its long-standing demands for toilets on the beach and a sewerage treatment plant have fallen on deaf ears. Plans to construct toilets are jinxed by CRZ rules. Villagers want a dedicated sewerage pipeline along the coast connecting Betul to Velsao or an STP to take care of the village's needs.
Waste worry
Locals feel that waste management can be better incorporated. While they say the panchayat is doing its bit to collect plastic waste from households, they want the unscrupulous dumping of waste in River Sal or on the beach that falls under the tourism department's jurisdiction to stop. They want the government to find out who is responsible for the same and take preventive measures.
People's Take
Around 2-3 huts on the beach have washed away this monsoon due to soil erosion. We have no objection to the fishing industry wanting the river's mouth dredged, but the village's interests should be protected
Edwin Barretto, former sarpanch
The dredging work done in the past was pointless. Within a month the sandbar at the mouth of the river was back
Roy Barretto, water sports operator
I have seen how in other parts of the state the matter (sandbar formation) is taken care of with rocks in the sea that take the weight of the waves
Jack Cruz, resident
Top View
Gram sabha members have demanded another meeting to finalize the issue, but only after the captain of ports comes back with all the necessary approvals and permissions
Viola D'Costa, sarpanch
No one has come to me, whether the fisheries department, panchayat or captain of ports. I was waiting for them as I strongly feel that the work should be done in a proper manner and with expert supervision. It has to be a foolproof plan otherwise the government will spend on dredging every year and it will be a waste
Caitu D'Silva, MLA, Benaulim