The rejuvenation plan for rivers of Sal, Chapora, Terekhol and Zuari comes as a breather to the choked and polluted water bodies that remained neglected over the years. While the ambitious 42-crore plan aims to flush out the toxic waste and cleanse the track, what remains to be seen is how far it succeeds in cutting off the hundreds of sewage lines that flow into these rivers. Will the government succeed in restoring these rivers to their pristine glory?
Goa’s riverine network that runs crisscross through villages has undoubtedly been the highlight of a picturesque Goan landscape. However, over time these lifelines have been used for wrong reasons. Open defecation, blatant discharge of sewerage, dumping of construction debris, plastics and garbage and release of industrial effluents has polluted these water bodies over the years. And there is nothing significant done to restore them, apart from the patchy de-silting jobs and clearing of fast-growing hyacinth weed.
The panel tasked by the NGT to draw up a plan has come out with a course of action. Discharge of sewerage is identified as a major polluter of the river stretch resulting in high bacterial activity in the form of fecal coliform. On the cards are a series of treatment processes like phytorid beds, de-weeding, recycling treated sewage and upgradation of solid waste management facilities. Installation of bio-toilets, construction of septic tanks and soak pits for residential houses appear to be tangible solutions on paper, but the core issue of plugging the source of these sewage channels will not only be a priority, but a mammoth task.
The sewage lines of residential houses and business establishments to the rivers have to be identified and plugged. Upgrading infrastructure and going in for extensive water treatment are welcome measures. However, this exercise has to be supplemented with a serious awareness campaign, besides putting monitoring systems in place.
High presence of faecal coliform bacteria indicates that there is heavy sewage contamination. The permissible limit of faecal coliform in water is a maximum of 30 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml as prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board. This level has been ranging alarmingly between 300 to 20,000 MNP in various rivers of the State which means these rivers are extremely unsafe for bathing.
Goa has a long way to go to undo the damage inflicted on its rivers. A start has been made and it is to be seen how the committee goes about its job. On the flip side, people of Goa also need to play a part by understanding the gravity of the issue and be partners in this change.
