the goan I network
MARGAO
Opposition to Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo’s proposed garbage treatment plant at the Verna industrial estate gained momentum, with as many as five villages expressing their strong objection to the project.
Instead of setting up one plant at the Verna industrial estate to treat waste from Salcete and Mormugao talukas, the five villages called for setting up de-centralized garbage management as per the Best Industry Standards.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa who was invited for the meeting of the sarpanchas, panchas and BMC members of the villages of Loutolim, Verna, Quelossim, Nagoa and Nuvem, promised to support the cause of the villagers, even as he assured to seek an appointment with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to resolve the issue.
During the meeting, the elected representatives compared the proposed plant with the alternative solution of de-centralized waste management with respect to the benefits, costs, impacts and compliance with the law and Best International Standards.
The sarpanchas pointed out that the village panchayats are managing and treating their garbage to the best of their abilities. They said the villages are in the process of creating infrastructure for 100 per cent segregation and composting at source, involvement of traditional recyclers and landfills of minimum size for each village.
It was observed that de-centralized waste management generates not just compost and other resources through recycling and reuse, but also ushers in economic growth and employment.
Loutolim Sarpanch Xavier Fernandes later told the media that the pathetic failures of centralized plants across Goa have poisoned Goan villages with severe pollution and health hazards. Most importantly, he said the 32 springs and 48 water bodies fed by the ecologically sensitive Loutolim-Verna plateau, which sustain the lives and livelihoods of the villagers, will be destroyed if the waste plant is constructed.
“Ecology, crops, water bodies and soil are already affected by the industries on the plateau, and all the remaining areas of this plateau must be conserved for traditional uses,” he added.
To a question, Xavier said the elected representatives have come to an unanimous decision that the proposed integrated solid waste
management plant is not
only against public interest, but also against the Best Industry Standards being successfully practiced by western countries.
“At today’s meeting, panchayat representatives have jointly demanded that the waste plant proposed at Loutolim-Verna plateau be dropped and decentralized waste treatment be implemented in our villages,” he said, adding that Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has promised full support to the elected representatives and to get an appointment with the CM and the concerned authorities at the earliest.
The meeting ended with a unanimous resolution not
to permit the anti-people waste management plant and to instead ensure that people and environment-friendly, decentralised waste
management systems are implemented in the villages without further delay. Verna villagers urge p’yat to
approach Court, seek stay orderthe goan I network
VASCO
The gram sabha of Verna on Sunday resolved to oppose and reject the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) at Verna Industrial
Estate.
Maintaining that the SWMP could lead to contamination of the waters in the water bodies of Verna plateau including the wells that locals depend on for water, the gram sabha members urged the panchayat to knock on the doors of the judiciary and bring an immediate stay order on the project.
During the meet, Verna sarpanch Marie Loren Fernandes explained to the members about the integrated SWMP proposed to come up on the Verna-Loutolim plateau under the 20 point programme.
She said the village could face adverse effects of water, air and soil pollution and that she along with others had met Nuvem MLA Wilfred Dsa and sought his
help.
Judith Rebelo, president of Verna biodiversity committee said that though the project was proposed in Loutolim, villagers fetch water from the water bodies which are at the base of the plateau.
“The sources of these natural springs, wells as well as the sources of river Sal will get contaminated if SWMP materialises. In a recent worm epidemic, many watermelons got spoiled in the area. This is one incidenct showing how due to various kinds of pollution people will have to suffer,” said Rebelo, adding, “We must unite and come out in thousands against this project because as per law, SWMP cannot come up in public localities, catchment areas, natural springs, etc.”
Another resident Salus Cardozo said that initially much was spoken about Saligao Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) but now nearby people were complaining about
garbage.
“Saligao SWMP is a disaster. To avoid such a fate, we the villagers of Verna must unite. If this project comes up then garbage from various places from South Goa will come here for treatment. Furthermore environmental impact assessment report is necessary before bringing such a project in the village,”
he said.
Later, the gram sabha of Verna unanimously resolved to oppose and reject the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) and encourage the government to pursue environmentally and technically sound and proven approaches of decentralised waste management systems in for the
villages of Goa.
