Strong displeasure in fishermen's organizations

High Authority Committee objects to boats on Girgaon ChowpattySakaal, Mumbai, Tuesday 14 December 2021

Do not take action!

The existence of fish ponds at Haji Ali can also be seen in the current development plan. There are mostly fish ponds all around from Nariman Point to Haji Ali. Therefore, any action against the local fishermen should be stopped. Also, do not take any action that will affect their livelihood, said Nicolas Almeida of the Watchdog Foundation..

Mumbai, 13th: The High Authority Committee that oversees World Heritage Sites has objected to fishermen's boats at Girgaon Chowpatty. As committee member Indrani Malkani asked for the removal of these boats, the fishermen's organizations expressed immediate protest. Indrani Malkani, Member of Malabar Hills Resident Association and Member of High Authority Committee, visited Girgaon Chowpatty on Saturday. She asked that the fishing boats be removed. She also said that she would file a complaint with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. There is strong resentment among local fishermen against this. Some sports activities are going to be implemented by the Navy near Raj Bhavan on 15th December. Godfrey Pimenta, head of the Watch Dogs Foundation, said that this is all a mess.

Earlier also some organizations had requested to cancel the licenses of fishing boats on Girgaon Chowpatty. Complaints have also been made that Koli settlements are encroachments and it is necessary to remove them. Pimenta says that this action is being carried out in the name of coastal security, but there is still a fishing pond in the Raj Bhavan area near Girgaon Chowpatty and fishing has been going on at Girgaon Chowpatty for a long time. He also said that further details of these fish ponds are also available.