On Monday, a significant number of fishermen hailing from Pune, Solapur, and Ahilyanagar districts conducted a Jal Samadhi protest in Palasdev village, located in Pune’s Indapur taluka. Their demonstration aimed to oppose a proposed private contract for fishing rights at the Ujani Dam and to contest a planned floating solar power project within the dam’s catchment area.
The protest commenced early in the morning as fishermen gathered at the Ujani Dam’s catchment zone. Following discussions among protest leaders, many participants entered the waters of the Ujani reservoir, remaining there for over two hours, with a notable presence of women among the crowd.
The demonstration concluded later that day when officials assured the participants that they would convene a meeting with the administration in the next fifteen days to address their concerns.
Nandkumar Nagare, the chairperson of the Maharashtra Rajya Machhimar Sangharsh Kruti Samiti, highlighted the historical context of the fishing community’s reliance on this livelihood, stemming from the displacement caused by the Ujani Dam’s construction. “Many individuals lost their agricultural land during the dam’s development and were forced to relocate. As a result, most of these displaced farmers, including tribal members, turned to fishing for their sustenance,” Nagare explained.
He further noted that over 30,000 individuals in the Pune, Solapur, and Ahilyanagar districts currently depend on fishing in the Ujani reservoir. When considering related sectors like logistics and marketing, the introduction of private fishing contracts could jeopardize the livelihoods of the local community.
Concerns were also voiced regarding the proposed floating solar power project in the dam’s catchment area. Local resident Nitin Dole, who operates a bird guiding and safari service, remarked, “The solar project could limit fishing zones, leading to decreased catch volumes and potential income loss, as well as forced relocation for some.” He added that the project might adversely impact tourism related to flamingos and bird-watching, as the solar panels could hinder boat navigation in the reservoir.
Sitaram Nagare, vice-chairperson of the Kruti Samiti, articulated the community’s straightforward demands. “We demand the cancellation of both the private fishing contracts and the floating solar project, allowing local communities to continue their fishing activities,” he stated, cautioning that fishermen would escalate their protests if their concerns were not adequately addressed in the forthcoming meeting with officials.
In response to the protests, Nagnath Khadtare, Deputy Executive Engineer of the Ujani Dam management, indicated that both projects were still in their early stages. “An Expression of Interest has been distributed to solicit proposals for developing fisheries and aquaculture activities through granting fishing rights to the Ujani reservoir, and it is currently awaiting approval from the Commissioner’s Office. However, no specific entity has been chosen yet,” Khadtare informed The Indian Express.
He also mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding had been established with the Industries Department regarding the allocation of a designated area of the reservoir for the floating solar project, which is also in its initial phase. In light of the objections raised, a meeting will be organized within the next fifteen days to deliberate further on these matters, leading to subsequent decisions.
Shubham Kurale, a journalist based in Pune, is an alumnus of the Ranade Institute of Journalism. He specializes in transportation reporting and has a keen interest in civic issues, sports, gig economy workers, environmental concerns, and LGBTQ+ topics. You can follow him on X: @ShubhamKurale1.
