Pune Ujani Dam protest: Fishermen demand fishing contract, solar project cancellation

The agitation was called off later on Monday after officials assured the protesters that a meeting with the administration would be held within fifteen days to look into their demands.

Fishing as a livelihood

According to Nandkumar Nagare, chairperson of the Maharashtra Rajya Machhimar Sangharsh Kruti Samiti, the roots of the community’s dependence on fishing go back to the displacement caused by the Ujani dam’s construction. “Thousands of people lost their agricultural land during the Ujani dam construction and got displaced. Following this, a majority of these farmers, even the tribals, came to rely entirely on fishing as their livelihood,” Nagare said.

Fishermen wade into the Ujani reservoir during the protest at Palasdev on Monday. (Express Photo)

“More than 30,000 people across Pune, Solapur, and Ahilyanagar districts now depend on fishing in the Ujani reservoir; once allied sectors such as logistics and marketing are also taken into account. Introducing these new projects would bring in private fishing contracts, affecting the local community’s livelihood,” he added.

Concerns over solar project’s impact

Fishermen and locals also raised concerns about the proposed floating solar power project in the dam’s catchment area. Nitin Dole, a resident of Kumbhargaon who runs a bird guide and safari service, said, “The proposed solar power project in the dam’s catchment area would restrict fishing zones, causing a drop in catch volume, and risking loss of income and forced displacement.”

“The project would also hurt flamingo and bird-watching tourism activities in the area, as the solar panels would make it difficult for boats to navigate the reservoir,” Dole added.

Sitaram Nagare, vice-chairperson of the Kruti Samiti, said the community’s demand was straightforward. “We demand that these projects – the private fishing contracts and the floating solar project – be cancelled, and that local communities be allowed to continue fishing,” he said, warning that fishermen would resume protests if their demands were not addressed in the upcoming meeting with officials.

Fishermen wade into the Ujani reservoir during the protest at Palasdev on Monday. (Express Photo)

Responding to the protest, Nagnath Khadtare, Deputy Executive Engineer of the Ujani Dam management, said both projects were still at a preliminary stage. {An Expression of Interest has been issued for seeking concept proposals on the development of fisheries and other aquaculture activities through granting fishing rights of Ujani reservoir, and it has been sent to the Commissioner’s Office for approval. However, no entity has been decided so far,” Khadtare told The Indian Express.

“An MoU had been signed with the Industries Department to offer the specified area of the reservoir for a floating solar project, and this proposal, too, was in its initial stages. Considering the objections, a meeting would be held within the next 15 days, and further decisions would be taken,” Khadtare added.