GSPCB asks marina promoters to get study of rivers done first

With two entities evincing interest in setting up marinas in Goa, the state pollution control board today asked them first to get a study done about the carrying capacity of rivers in the state, using expertise of two prominent educational institutions in the country.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in its meeting today decided that since the State Environment Department has no resources to conduct such a study, the marina promoters should get it done using the expertise of Annamalai University and BITS Pillani.
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.

Studying the carrying capacity of rivers is mandatory to allow marinas to operate in Goa.
"It was decided that the promoters (company) should get the study done from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu and BITS Pillani, Goa," board chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told reporters today.
Goa Investment Promotion Board has approved a proposal to set up marinas by a private company at Nauxi village and by Mormugao Port Trust for a proposed marina at Sancoale, both on the Zuari river.

However, the GSPCB today sought more details about these projects, which have been opposed by local fishermen.
State government has been supporting setting up of marinas.

Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar had recently said marinas are like taxi stand, where only ships are parked and it will not have impact on fishing community.