The agreement reached between NGOs and the government on the Saligao garbage treatment plant is a landmark. It is difficult to think of an instance in the past where NGOs and the government sat across the table and worked out a solution. The formulation of
Regional Plan 2021 was also a milestone on the socio-political map because it saw the participation of the government, NGOs and people. But it fell apart when NGOs refused to stand by the plan and today it remains an incomplete exercise. The Saligao garbage plant was a contentious issue on account of one reason “ suspicion, which was manifested in many ways, eventually resulting in a petition before the National
Green Tribunal. Unlike in the past, this time the NGT literally
forced both parties back to the negotiating table, a rare
but much required nudge. Left with no option and with one of
the NGOs under fire for blocking infrastructure projects, the
talks turned out to be quite a success. The agreement between
the two parties was accepted by the
NGT and the matter dismissed.
A key clause in the agreement says
that the Saligao Civic and Consumer
Cell will inspect the plant once a
month to take stock of the progress
made. This clause not only gives
the Cell a stake in the plant but also
thrusts on it the responsibility of
overseeing its progress and functioning.
The Cell has agreed to undertake this burden and this
decision needs to be praised because for the first time the Cell
will move away from being an impediment to the plant and become
a participant or stake holder.
Of course a key demand of the Saligao Civic and Consumer
Cell was the location of the plant. The Cell was of the view
that the present site was not suitable and would result in contamination
of springs in the vicinity. The fact that the plant
is nearing completion was like a fait accompli and there was
apparently no point in debating this point, but only time will
tell who was correct.
Another contentious issue pertained to the quantum of garbage.
It was agreed that the plant would not go beyond its 100
tonnes per day capacity, but there is no mention of the demand
that garbage from North Goa should not treated at the plant.
This is now superfluous because with the Cell acting as supervisor,
garbage management should not be much of a problem.
This dialogue is significant because for the first time two
leading NGOs “ Goa Foundation and the Saligao Civic and
Consumer Cell entered into secret, across-the-table negotiations
to hammer out a solution. This is how the government
normally operates, but is definitely a first time for NGOs who
are more used to public debates through the media.
On another level, the agreement is a marker because it has
shown that on issues of importance (a garbage plant is of paramount
importance to the state which has been grappling
with the problem for over a decade now) NGOs can actually
sit across the table and arrive at a meeting point through the
process of give and take.
The process gives Goa hope of a resolution over the two other
infrastructure projects “ third Mandovi bridge and a bridge
across the Tiracol river, both opposed by Goa Foundation. Or
are we hoping for too much?
