Fishermen’s turn to cry from salinity and pollution Fishermen’s turn to cry from salinity and pollution

The fishermen of Bharuch district have once again been hit by the salty waters of the Narmada. Fishing was formally started on the eleventh day, but in the first couple of days, no hilsa fish was found in the river. The fishermen who did business of crores of rupees in the last season are hoping that the next harvest will be good. Earlier last year, it was estimated that more than 25 crore fish were caught in Juwal alone.

The sea water in the river Narmada has come up to Nand village and on the other hand, as only 600 cusecs of water is released from the Narmada dam, the salinity of the river water is increasing, due to which the number of Hilsa fish coming from the sea to the river water for breeding has become negligible and the first yoke of the fishermen has completely failed.

On the eleventh day itself, the fishermen started the fishing season by consecrating the river Narmada. Fishermen cast their nets in the mouth of Narmada river but the hilsa fish was negligible. As a result, the fishermen returned and anchored their boats on the river bank. At present, fishermen’s boats are seen anchored on the shores of Bhadbhut. Fishermen spend about 15 days in the sea fishing.

Water for industries also became disruptive
The water in the estuary of the Narmada river has become polluted due to the water from the Jangia and Dahej GIDCs. Fishermen are saying that Hilsa fish coming for breeding this year has decreased due to chemical water between the river and the sea.

Cyclone Biparjoy also damaged
The impact of Cyclone Biparjoy is now being seen in Bharuch district. Due to the storm, the sea became rough and due to this the sea water came far into the river Narmada. On the other hand, since the water is not released from the dam, the salinity has not yet been removed from the river water.

Last year the fishes did the spoils
The level of the Narmada dam rose rapidly after the onset of monsoon last year in Madhya Pradesh and when the RBPH was activated to maintain the dam’s rule level, the amount of water coming from the dam in the Narmada river increased due to which the water in the river became salty and millions of Hilsa fish from the sea for breeding. The fishermen were rich. Last year, along with the fishermen, the fortunes of the traders also opened up and the income of crores of rupees rose.

Now hope on the next yoke
Before eleven some fishermen also fish with extra yoke. However, no fish were caught in it this year either. Even the greatest yoke of eleven has failed. Then, if nature cooperates in the next season, the fishermen hope that they will be able to catch enough fish to cover their expenses. – Ramesh Jetha Machi, Chairman, Bhadbhut Mastya Udyog Cooperative Society, Bharuch

Hard to get labor-diesel money
Due to the lack of release of chemical water from industries and sewage, the sludge spread. Fishermen dug the river and sea for three days. However, there was no sign of Hilsa Machchi and had to return. As a result, the cost of diesel used for the boat and the labor costs have fallen. Now there is a hope of coming out of the loss on the next yoke. – Sanjay Amrit Machhi, Vejalpur