MARGAO: Even as the authorities in Margao are grappling with various issues at the wholesale fish market owned by the South Goa Planning and Development (SGPDA), now a new mini-wholesale fish market has emerged just a few meters away from the existing market, within the jurisdiction of Seraulim panchayat.
The new mini-wholesale fish market is fully run and operated by migrant fish vendors and traders.
O Heraldo's visit to the site revealed that the illegal activities were taking place on a traditional bandh, a type of embankment, where migrants were selling fish openly. The area was cluttered with storage boxes filled with fish and large vehicles parked haphazardly, creating a chaotic scene.
The situation at the site was further worsened by the presence of wastewater from the fish market being discharged into the open fields, leading to unbearable odours and pollution of nearby water bodies. Piles of discarded thermocol boxes were also visible, posing major environmental hazards due to their non-biodegradable nature.
Vehicles parked haphazardly on the roads here, cause traffic congestion and make it difficult for locals to move around in the area.
The Seraulim village panchayat too failed to initiate action against the illegal activities but instead preferred to pass the buck to the police asking them to intervene into the matter.
Speaking to O Heraldo, local resident Santan Fernandes alleged that the illegal activities at the fish market were being conducted with the tacit blessing of political leaders. According to Fernandes, the political connections of the migrant traders might be influencing the lack of enforcement and oversight by local authorities.
"All are aware that the concerned authorities, such as the Margao Municipality and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority, are facing a tough time resolving the issue of the wholesale fish market, despite clear directions from the High Court. Yet, despite these ongoing struggles, we are now witnessing another wholesale fish market cropping up, creating the same problems of nuisance and pollution within the jurisdiction of the Seraulim panchayat," Fernandes stated.
"This will surely become the next wholesale fish market if not stopped immediately," said Ronald Dias, a citizen of Fatorda. "The Goa State Pollution Control Board also needs to look into the matter, as these illegal fish activities are causing major pollution."
Dias' comments reflected growing concern over the potential for the new market to expand unchecked, further exacerbating environmental issues.
Reacting to the issue, Sima Shanke, Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Seraulim, admitted that illegal fish selling activities were indeed occurring on the boundary of Seraulim, near the wholesale fish market.
"Panchayat has not given any permission to anybody to carry out such activities and we have been regularly requesting the police to initiate action against those engaged in the illegal activities over here."
However, she also acknowledged that the panchayat had not initiated any formal action plan to stop the activities.