Cuncolim locals anxious as GSPCB decides on second fish meal plant

File photo of Cuncolim citizens objecting to the new fish meal plant proposed outside the Cuncolim IDC.

MARGAO
The 164th meeting of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), scheduled for Thursday, may be routine for the Board, but it carries major significance for residents of Cuncolim, who have long been battling air and water pollution from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
The meeting will determine whether the historic village will be made to host a second fish meal plant—this time outside the jurisdiction of the industrial estate—at a time when locals continue their sustained protest against pollution from an existing fish meal unit operating within the Cuncolim IDC.
Anxiety gripped the village on Wednesday after GSPCB Chairman Levinson Martins convened a hearing of all concerned parties for Thursday. The hearing will include M/s Goa Marine Impex Pvt. Ltd., which has approached the Pollution Control Board seeking consent to establish a fish meal plant under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The company has proposed setting up a 2,400-metric-tonne-per-month fish meal plant, along with a 400-metric-tonne-per-month fish oil plant, at Survey Nos. 339/0 and 340/1 in Cuncolim.
Apart from the company, the GSPCB has issued notices to six other parties, including the Cuncolim Municipal Council and interveners in a related writ petition—Dr Jorson Fernandes, Shashank Desai, Ankush Desai, Cornie Rodrigues, and Aviraj Desai—inviting them to present their views on the application filed by Goa Marine Impex Pvt. Ltd.
The interveners and residents of Cuncolim had demanded that the GSPCB hold the hearing in Cuncolim itself so that local grievances and sentiments opposing the proposed fish meal plant could be heard. However, the Board declined the request, maintaining that the proceeding in question is not a public hearing.
The GSPCB has convened the hearing in compliance with directions issued by the High Court while disposing of a petition filed by M/s Goa Marine Impex Pvt. Ltd., challenging the Board’s earlier decision to deny Consent to Establish on the grounds that the Cuncolim Municipal Council had rejected the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of the factory building.
====
Pollution-hit village braced for anti-fish meal plant movement
MARGAO: Residents opposing fish meal plants within and outside the Cuncolim Industrial Estate are exploring both legal remedies and public agitation to press their demands.
This became evident after retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello, a native of Cuncolim, told the media that he, along with Advocate Tarun Rebello, is examining the issue with a view to filing a writ petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the operation of fish meal plants.
Sources said that social activist Dr Jorson Fernandes, who had earlier filed an intervention application before the High Court when M/s Goa Marine Impex Pvt. Ltd. approached the court following the GSPCB’s refusal to grant consent, is coordinating with the legal team on the future legal course of action.
At the same time, another group of residents is working on a strategy to take the issue to the streets, citing strong and widespread opposition among the local population to any fish meal plants in Cuncolim, whether located within the industrial estate or outside it.
File photo of a delegation of Cuncolim Municipal Councillors led by Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas handing over a memorandum demanding action against the fish meal plant at the Cuncolim IDC.
====
Cuncolim municipality's resolution against proposal back in focus

File photo of a delegation of Cuncolim municipal councillors led by Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas handing over a memorandum to GSPCB chief Levinson Martins.

MARGAO: The Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC), headed by Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas, has taken a unanimous stand against the controversial fish meal plants.
At a special meeting held last year, the Council unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the application submitted by M/s Goa Marine Impex Pvt. Ltd. seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to set up a fish meal plant and related buildings. In a separate unanimous resolution, the civic body also decided to initiate action to shut down the existing fish meal plant operating within the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
During the meeting, councillors drew the Chairperson’s attention to complaints that the fish meal plant was allegedly emitting foul odour and smoke, and discharging wastewater into the surrounding areas, causing severe inconvenience to nearby residents. Councillors stated that the pollution posed a serious health hazard to the community and created significant discomfort for people living close to the industrial area.
Councillors urged that the matter be treated as a priority and that immediate steps be taken by the Municipal Council to address the issue and safeguard public health.
After detailed discussions, the CMC resolved as follows: “Be it resolved that the Municipal Council shall take immediate action on the complaint regarding pollution caused by M/s United Marine Products and shall direct the concerned unit to stop all polluting activities and to adopt proper waste management and pollution control measures in accordance with environmental regulations.”
====
Opposition to relocated fish meal plant in Cuncolim continues
MARGAO: Residents of Cuncolim have expressed strong opposition to the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (GIPB) over its decision to shift a controversial fish meal plant from Quepem to Cuncolim.
The GIPB had earlier granted approval to the project proponents to set up the fish meal plant in Quepem taluka. However, sustained protests by local residents—predominantly from Scheduled Tribe communities—ultimately forced the project to be grounded.
Cuncolkars are now questioning the rationale behind relocating the project to their village. “Why is a controversial project being thrust upon the people when it is clearly not welcome here?” residents asked, warning that the move could spark widespread opposition.
Locals have also voiced concern that permitting the fish meal plant outside the Cuncolim Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) estate could open the door for industrial projects to expand beyond the designated industrial zone.
“If the GIPB shifted the plant from Quepem due to public opposition, the people of Cuncolim too will take to the streets to oppose the fish meal plant,” a resident warned. “The government and the project promoters must take note.”
====
GSPCB chairman a familiar face, yet unable to meet Cuncolkars’ hopes
MARGAO: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Chairman Levinson Martins is no stranger to Cuncolim or to the long-running battle against pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, as he hails from the neighbouring village of Assolna.
Martins had earlier served as Member Secretary of the GSPCB when the existing fish meal plant at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate had just commenced operations, despite strong opposition from local residents. At the time, the government led by then chief minister, the late Manohar Parrikar, did not intervene to halt the project, even in the face of widespread protests.
Since then, the GSPCB has conducted several inspections of the fish meal plant, as well as other fish processing units operating within the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. However, residents allege that these inspections have brought little relief, as complaints of foul odour and contamination of nearby water bodies continue to persist.