Nauxim marina pits CM against Borkar | Goa News

Panaji: The recent remarks made by chief minister Pramod Sawant in support of the proposed marina project at Nauxim have drawn strong opposition from St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.
He said that the chief minister’s stance on the matter poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of the fishing communities residing along the Zuari river.
Borkar said that the marina project, if implemented, would have severe consequences for the traditional fisherfolk who rely heavily on the river for their livelihoods.“The construction and operation of the marina could potentially disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the Zuari river,” he said. “That could have an adverse impact on the fish population and the overall health of the riverine environment.”
Sawant had recently said that the marina project was extremely important for Goa as it would generate employment opportunities for the younger generation.
All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union, an organisation fighting for the rights of traditional fisherfolk, called on the chief minister to stop the advocacy for the marina project, get the marina lease deed cancelled, and create security of tenure for fishing in the Zuari and all other waters in Goa. The union said, “This will be a much better engagement for the chief minister on the Nauxim marina rather than his current empty rantings.”
The union said that Sawant’s latest statement that the marina will create jobs for Goans “hides” the fact that hundreds of people and families engaged in fishing at the Zuari river will be expelled from the waters.