Amit Chavda corners Gujarat Government on Surat’s illegal shrimp ponds in Gujarat Assembly

Surat : Congress leader Amit Chavda has demanded that the State Government direct the Surat district collector to conduct a survey of the illegal shrimp ponds built on government lands in the coastal areas of Olpad and Choriyasi talukas and remove them immediately to protect the environment.

Chavda raised the issue of an increase in bird hit cases as a result of the presence of illegal shrimp ponds surrounding the Surat airport, which were built on government and private lands over the last decade. Chavda stated on the floor of the Gujarat Assembly that the state government is shielding people involved in illegal shrimp farming on government land and lacks information on the area of government land under their illegal possession.

The Blunt Times had highlighted the issue raised by Congress leader Darshan Naik about the plight of farmers in the Olpad taluka who are losing crores of rupees due to the presence of illegal shrimp ponds on government land. Naik demanded a thorough investigation into the illegal shrimp business operating in Surat district, which is supported by senior leaders and ministers in the State Government.

“Hundreds of illegal shrimp ponds surround the Surat airport,” said Dr. Tushar Chaudhary, Congress MLA from Khedbrahma assembly seat. The shrimps are attracting birds in the coastal area, leading to an increase in bird strikes. The district administration is jeopardising the safety and security of passengers and aircrafts by allowing shrimp cartels to conduct their illegal business,” Darshan Naik, general secretary of the GPCC, said. These shrimp ponds have destroyed the coastal ecology, causing massive environmental damage and losses to the farming community.”