At the window of his new house, in a crowded suburb of Pune sits Aba Gawas. He looks out at the traffic and talks of his river Dabhil, more than 400 kms away from him. For years, Aba has fought hard to protect the river. He calls it Dabhil Mauli, a term of endearment reserved for mothers and deities. He is not keeping very well and longs to return to Dabhil Mauli. I realize with a sudden pang, rivers are home.
Continue reading “Dabhil Mauli: Stories and Struggles of a Small River in the Western Ghats”Tag: Fish Sanctuary
Letter to the EAC: No justification for Adani Dams in the Western Ghats
28.11.24
To,
The Chairperson and Members,
Expert Appraisal Committee, River Valley Projects,
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
New Delhi
Subject: Submission against 1500 MW Warasgaon Warangi Pumped Storage Project by Adani Green Energy to be discussed in the 19th EAC meeting for TORs
Respected Sirs,
We see that Adani Green Energy’s 1500 MW Warasgaon-Warangi Pumped Storage Project is being considered for fresh TORs in the upcoming meeting of the EAC. We have gone through the documents uploaded by the proponent (AGEL) on MoEF CC’s Parivesh Website.[1]
Continue reading “Letter to the EAC: No justification for Adani Dams in the Western Ghats”
World Fisheries Day 2023: Ten Positive Reports from India: Fish, Fisherfolks & Fisheries
(Feature Image:- Fishermen move around the big lake in Jawaharlalpuram in Madurai to increase the catch. M. PALANI KUMAR Photo/PARI)
World Fisheries Day (WFD) is celebrated annually on November 21 to highlight the importance of sustainable fisheries management and to draw attention to the crucial role of small-scale fishers in ensuring food security and livelihoods for millions around the world. The theme for World Fisheries Day 2023 is “Build enabling policy environments for small-scale artisanal fisheries.” This theme emphasizes the crucial role of small-scale fishers in sustainable fisheries management. Small-scale fishers, who often employ traditional and low-impact fishing methods, contribute significantly to local food security and livelihoods. They also possess valuable knowledge and expertise in managing marine resources sustainably. By supporting small-scale fishers and enabling their participation in policymaking processes, we can promote more equitable and sustainable fisheries management practices. https://www.oliveboard.in/blog/world-fisheries-day-2023/ (20 Nov. 2023)
Marking the WFD 2023 while highlighting the significance of fresh water fish species, inland fisherfolks and fisheries sector in general, SANDRP here presents ten positive reports on fish, fisherfolks and fisheries from India in 2023. Also see the second part of the compilation highlighting ongoing resistance of fisherfolks in India and third part covering mess fish kill incident during past one year in the country.
Continue reading “World Fisheries Day 2023: Ten Positive Reports from India: Fish, Fisherfolks & Fisheries”
Vaitarna’s Community-Conserved Tilase Fish Sanctuary needs protection
When I first heard about a beautiful fish sanctuary right off the highway on Vaitarna river in Maharashtra, I was skeptical. Vaitarna river, despite flowing through dense Western Ghats forests, is highly polluted and encroached upon as it enters the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Vaitarna river stretch off a highway is not the most idyllic of spots for a thriving fish sanctuary. But I was spectacularly wrong.
Continue reading “Vaitarna’s Community-Conserved Tilase Fish Sanctuary needs protection”
WFD 2021: Ten Positive Stories of Fish, Fisheries & Fisherfolks
On occasion of World Fisheries Day (WFD) 2021, SANDRP presents account of a few successful stories of fisher folks collective efforts for sustainable fishing, resistance against existing and looming threats. This also highlights some positive initiatives documenting neglected fishing communities and threatened fish diversity. The first part of the WFD 2021 series has put together most of mass fish kill incidents in India during past one year. This second part begins first with top ten success stories and then moves on to other important positive reports and developments.
Continue reading “WFD 2021: Ten Positive Stories of Fish, Fisheries & Fisherfolks”
Karnataka Sand Mining 2020: Active Collector, Destruction of fish sanctuary & calm collection
Feature image: Extraction of sand from the banks of the Tunga near Chibbalagudde in Tirthahalli taluk posing a threat to the fish sanctuary that hosts 27 species of fish. (The Hindu)
2019 Karnataka sand mining overview showed that the incidents of illegal sand mining were on the rise, state was reportedly consuming around 70 MT (Million Tons) sand annually while the govt was able to produce 30 MT. The govt was losing about Rs 200 crore to illegal sand mining, while about 29,000 cases of illegal stone quarrying and sand mining were detected in past 3 years. Towards the end of 2018, the govt was seen working on 4 separate mining policies for sand, granite, building material and stone crushers to stop the revenue losses.
There were discussions in govt circle promoting M-Sand and importing sand from Malaysia. M-Sand was being produced in 18 districts of state. However there was no clarity on its quality and usage. MSIL had imported 8000 T of sand and sold half of it. Despite facing sand dearth, the govt in Sept. 2018 decided to send imported sand to Kerala. About 0.15 MT Malaysian sand was stuck at two ports.
White Elephant, Black Fish
How a 15 MW project with 55 mts high dam threatens 5 villages and a fish sanctuary
After an analysis of a particularly nasty dam, I felt like going back to flowing rivers. It is monsoon after all. The plan was to visit Kal River in Western Ghats of Raigad District in Maharashtra to understand how a community in a small village called Walen Kondh is protecting the river and Mahseer fish. Mahseer (Deccan Mahseer, Tor tor) is classified as endangered as per IUCN classification and most wild Deccan Mahseer populations have been wiped out in India. And hence a small, out of the way place, protecting these fish as well as the river voluntarily was like a breeze of fresh air. Continue reading “White Elephant, Black Fish”
SANDRP 