Garbage dumping , unchecked quarrying kills Salmona spring
The Salmona spring is dead. We have killed it. A water resource born out of run offs from the Pilerne Plateau and spot for cleansing baths has become dangerously polluted, affecting the ground water and the health and lives of those who live around it. It’s a tragic story. Putrid water from dumped unsegregated garbage has been polluting the Salmona spring for over two decades. A local resident, Mario Mascarenhas said the foul smell from the dump had spread over the villages of Salmona, Abreuwaddo, Aarari and areas near the Sharavni temple. Mascarenhas added that the toxic spring was now infecting the underground water table in his village. Similar dumping of garbage has led to several springs being polluted in the state. This issue was discussed in the state legislative assembly but no action initiated. A huge quarry measuring approximately 25000 sq mt located on communidade land on the boundary of the Saligao and Calangute Panchayat is the dumping site for Calangute. Everyday around 4-5 trucks dump garbage comprising hotel waste and medical waste. Arun Sawant, Convenor, Salmona Pariyavaran Manch said, “During the monsoon, polluted rain water from the dump passes over laterite stones resulting in the contamination of the springs. In addition the excess runoff due to the monsoons adds to this contamination.” Sawant said their objections were noted but the Calangute Panchayat had to stop dumping garbage immediately which had not taken place. He felt that the local MLA who was the tourism minister would have to help them raise awareness. Several tests conducted by the Goa State Pollution Control Boards in the area have confirmed the presence of coliforms making it unfit consumption. The GSPCB will soon conduct an analysis of the water samples from the wells nearby to determine the bacterial and chemical contents.Commenting on the garbage dumps Pradeep Sarmokadam, Director, LILA Digital and Environmental Solution Pvt Ltd said “When a consultant applies for a NOC to set up a garbage plant we have a number of guidelines to be considered but in this case a quarry is being used as a dump and no action has been taken. The concerned authorities should look for a solution to ensure that the ground water table is not affected”.
