Aronda Jetty
Project Statement
Aronda is a
small village in Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, adjoining Goa.
A creek separates both Maharashtra and Goa. It is one of the most scenic
coastal locations for tourists and nature lovers. Shockingly, instead of protecting
the fragile ecosystem there, a port was being constructed illegally under the
guise of repairing a jetty used by small fishermen and the local population to
go across the creek, denying citizens and fishermen free access to the water
front and unimpeded use of the creek. This hindrance significantly affected
livelihoods among fishermen and agriculturists.
Project Intervention
Vanashakti
moved the petition to challenge the sanctioning of this village as a port,
which will import hazardous coal there, permanently damaging the marine
ecology.
Project Outcome
The NGT was moved, which ordered a stay on the operations, and the access to the local villager and the fishermen have been granted. The wall that blocked access of villager and fishermen to the water front has been removed.