Ujani Dam Fishermen Suspend Protest, Await Government Meeting Over Fishing Rights, Solar Project

The 15-day countdown for a meeting between the administration and fishermen's representatives entered its second day on Wednesday after officials assured the protesters that their demands would be discussed at a high-level meeting. The fishermen had temporarily called off their agitation after staging a Jal Samadhi protest at Palasdev on August 31, demanding the cancellation of the proposed private fishing contract and floating solar power project at Ujani Dam.

Fishermen's unions and local leaders from Pune, Solapur and Ahilyanagar are currently preparing their documentation and list of representatives. They are waiting for the Water Resources Department to announce the exact date and venue for the upcoming high-level administrative meeting.

Local fishing activity and regional fish markets, which faced severe disruptions and closures during mid-August, are operating normally today.

Agitation called off after officials promise government meeting

Following a gathering of protest leaders, many of them waded into the waters of the Ujani reservoir and stood there for more than two hours. A sizable portion of the demonstrators were women.

After officials promised the demonstrators that a meeting with the government would be arranged within 15 days to consider their concerns, the agitation was called off later on Monday.

The community became dependent on fishing after being displaced by the construction of the Ujani Dam, according to Nandkumar Nagare, chairperson of the Maharashtra Rajya Machhimar Sangharsh Kruti Samiti.

"During the construction of the Ujani Dam, thousands of people were relocated and lost their agricultural land. After that, most of these farmers, including tribal communities, became totally dependent on fishing for their income," Nagare said.

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

Fishermen fear floating solar project could threaten livelihoods

Concerns regarding the proposed floating solar power plant in the dam's catchment area were also voiced by villagers and fishermen.

"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," stated Nitin Dole, a Kumbhargaon resident who operates a bird tour and safari business.

“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.

The Kruti Samiti's vice-chairperson, Sitaram Nagare, stated that the community's demand was simple.

"We demand that these projects—the floating solar project and the private fishing contracts—be cancelled, and that local communities be allowed to continue fishing," he said, threatening to resume protests if their demands were not addressed at the next meeting with officials.