Protests Dampen PM Modi’s Bharuch Extravaganza, Fishermen in Boats Wave Black Flags (Bhadbhut Wier)
For those who know and watch Gujarat’s politics, the macchwaras have always voted saffron. But today a small yet vociferous number, approximately 250 in all protested his inauguration of the Bhadbhut Wier that they insist will block the flow of the Narmada river, affect the breeding of Hilsa (exclusive special of fish) here and even endanger the Gulf of Cambay itself.
The boats of the protesting Fishermen with black flags were afloat the river Narmada. Local police have detained 250 protesting fisherfolk while the inauguration of the project is on.
According to the protesting fisherfolk, already pollution from Ankleshwar, Jhagadia, Panoli and Dahej plants have seriously curtailed fish breeding. Now, the proposed Bhadbhut Wier project will devastate the breeding ground completely. This barrage is expected to create a fresh water reservoir downstream of the Sardar Sarovar dam. There is no release of fresh water from the dam and the Narmada river flows in a much narrowed width of 20 metres here.
Today, the fishermen angrily waved black flags at the prime minister. They are certain that this project will seriously damage their livelihood by affecting the migration of fish between the river and the sea. The sharp shifting of the salinity equilibrium will disappear causing the death of the Narmada Estar and destroy livelihood to talking Rs 500 Crores.
Kamlesh bhai Madhubala and MSH Shaikh have said that this project will be challenged soon before rhe National Green Tribunal, Pune to protect the livelihood of 25,000 fisherfolk community of Bharuch district, Gujarat.