Fishermen from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and neighbouring Ahmednagar district are on the brink of drastic action as the government hesitates to cancel the proposed floating solar power project at Jayakwadi dam. The Save Jayakwadi Fishermen committee has issued a warning, stating that if their demands are not met, they will resort to Jal Samadhi starting from February 7th.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to various government authorities and public representatives, the committee has raised concerns about the potential dire consequences of the project on the livelihoods of fishermen and their families. Despite opposition, Union Minister of State for Finance, Bhagwat Karad, has remained steadfast in his support for the project, promising to engage with the fishermen before proceeding with the works.
According to Bajrang Limbore, president of the committee, the fishermen believe that the project is being pushed forward unlawfully and will severely impact their means of living. They argue that the installation of large solar panels within the reservoir of Jayakwadi dam will obstruct sunlight, crucial for aquatic flora and fauna, consequently disrupting traditional fishing activities and threatening bird populations in the sanctuary.
Further aggravating the situation, the fishermen allege that the feasibility report supporting the project’s approval has been influenced by central and state authorities. They specifically point to the construction of a pulling station as part of the floating solar power plant in Mauje Katpur, Paithan tehsil, as evidence of the project’s advancement without proper consideration for environmental and livelihood concerns.
In response to these allegations, Union Minister Bhagwat Karad has dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting that consultations with the fishermen community have already taken place, with room for further discussions to address their apprehensions. However, tensions continue to mount as the fishermen remain resolute in their opposition to the project’s implementation.
