Illegal Shrimp Ponds Flourish on Government Land in Surat

Surat : Surat, one of Gujarat’s fastest-growing districts, is grappling with large-scale illegal encroachment in the form of shrimp ponds on government land. Despite Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s strong stance against land encroachment, Surat presents an entirely different picture. While bulldozers have razed illegal structures across Gujarat, the illegal shrimp farming business in Surat continues unchecked, leaving environmentalists and farmers frustrated.

Government Land Worth Rs. 10,000 Crore Encroached

Illegal shrimp ponds have been thriving on government land in Surat’s coastal areas for the past 8–10 years. The issue has been repeatedly raised at various levels—from Gram Panchayats to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. However, no concrete action has been taken to dismantle these encroachments. It is estimated that illegal shrimp farming is currently operating on government land worth approximately Rs. 10,000 crore. This has not only disrupted the ecological balance but has also negatively impacted the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

Repeated complaints from farmer leaders and concerned citizens have been submitted to the Surat district administration, but the authorities have failed to act. According to an RTI response from the District Land Registry Department, illegal shrimp farming covers a staggering 1,343.9 hectares (1,34,39,000 square meters) in Olpad taluka alone. In Choryasi-Majura taluka, a total of 5,641 shrimp ponds occupy 4,039 hectares of government land.

Violation of CRZ Act and Environmental Concerns

The land on which these illegal shrimp ponds operate falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), requiring prior approval from the Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority. However, no such approvals have been obtained, making the entire operation a blatant violation of the CRZ Act of 2011 and 2019.

The unchecked shrimp farming in Surat has led to severe environmental degradation. The release of chemicals and untreated waste into nearby water bodies has resulted in water pollution, impacting marine biodiversity. Additionally, locals have reported increased instances of power and water theft to sustain these farms, further exacerbating the crisis. While farmers struggle to get enough irrigation water for their crops, shrimp farmers enjoy an uninterrupted supply, allegedly facilitated by corrupt government officials and elected representatives.

Government Officials Accused of Complicity

Local farmers and activists claim that government officials, including those from the Olpad-Choryasi Mamlatdar office, the Deputy Collector’s office, the Fisheries Department, the DGVCL, and the Irrigation Department, are complicit in allowing the illegal shrimp business to flourish. Despite repeated representations and evidence highlighting financial and environmental damages, officials have remained silent.

It is alleged that a network of corrupt officials and powerful individuals is protecting the shrimp pond operators. The shrimp farming business, which should ideally contribute to Gujarat’s economy through legal means, is instead causing financial losses amounting to crores every year.

Call for Immediate Government Action

Darshan Naik, RTI activist and social worker said, “The rampant illegal shrimp farming in Surat has exposed severe lapses in governance and law enforcement”. “ Farmers, who have been at the receiving end of these encroachments, are now demanding immediate intervention from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. They insist that bulldozers, which have been actively used to clear encroachments in other parts of Gujarat, must also be deployed in Surat to reclaim government land.”

Strict action is necessary not only to restore government property but also to ensure that the livelihoods of honest farmers are protected. The government must also take measures to hold officials accountable for their inaction and complicity in allowing illegal shrimp farming to thrive.

Environmentalists warn that if immediate steps are not taken, the ecological damage caused by these shrimp ponds will be irreversible. The continued exploitation of natural resources and government land under political and bureaucratic patronage must be addressed before it leads to a larger crisis.