Weed flushed by rains blocks boat routes, invades beach
Water hyacinth washed away from the Margao stretch of River Sal has accumulated at Cavelossim, obstructing navigation.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The heavy pre-monsoon showers that lashed the state may have helped to rid the water hyacinth weed from the River Sal. Even before the authorities could launch the de-weeding work in the river, Salcete’s lifeline, tons of water hyacinth have been washed away from the river course.
The weed, however, has raised environmental concerns in Cavelossim village, with the water hyacinth invading the pristine Mobor-Cavelossim beach stretch and blocking the navigation channels for boats in the River Sal.
In fact, the significant presence of the water hyacinth weed, which has been washed away from the River Sal near the Khareband bridge stretch, has reached the river stretch at Cavelossim. Cruise boats have been forced to cancel their trips as the water hyacinth weed occupied the navigation channel on the Cavelossim side of the river.
That’s not all. After entering the Arabian Sea via the mouth of the River Sal, the weed has invaded the Mobor beach stretch, indicating that the tons of water hyacinth which have been washed away from the river have raised environmental concerns at Cavelossim.
Local residents and cruise boat owners claimed that water hyacinth blocking the navigation channel of River Sal at Cavelossim and invading the Mobor beach is not something new. They pointed out that the water hyacinth from the Margao stretch of the river is washed out by the first rains, before it invades the beach belt at Cavelossim.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz has said the water hyacinth flowing from the River Sal to the Arabian Sea has created havoc in the Cavelossim-Mobor beach area. “This is a yearly affair and nothing has been done so far, as this originates at Khareband in Margao before it is washed into the sea due to the monsoon’s fury,” he said, adding that this is not good for fishermen, who earn their daily livelihood.
“A local, Roy Baretto, who operates boat cruises in the River Sal, has cancelled the trips as this can cause problems to the engine. The safety of tourists cannot be compromised. A fisherman, Charles Rodrigues, who uses a small motorboat for fishing in the River Sal, has damaged his engine due to the water hyacinth,” Dixon added.
The Cavelossim Sarpanch said the panchayat will request the authorities to clean the water hyacinth using floating machinery at Khareband or Benaulim area before the monsoon so that it will avoid going to the sea and rotting on the shore. “This is not good for tourism. Our village depends on tourism and hence the authorities should ensure that such things are not allowed to happen,” he added.
