MARGAO
Are the lakes, springs and other water bodies on the outskirts of Margao free from waste and sewage contamination?
Doesn’t appear so, as an inspection of the Davorlim spring and the once-picturesque Salpem lake in Navelim, both bordering Margao town, revealed what has been feared the worst “ pollution and contamination of the water bodies by the discharge of sewage and other waste.
In fact, Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar, a team of officials, besides MLA Ulhas Tuenkar were taken by surprise over the state of affairs of the Davorlim spring, which plays host to the immersion of Ganesh idols every year, and the water used for irrigation.
And, when the team descended on the picturesque Salpem lake for an on-the-spot inspection of the water body, which used to play host to migratory birds, they found the once lush green agricultural fields lying barren with farmers staying away from the fields devastated by sewage discharge from neighbouring Margao.
Take the case of the Davorlim spring. The spring water is being used by local farmers to irrigate the adjoining fields. The water also comes in handy for the Hindu brethren during the annual Ganesh immersion of as many as 150 idols.
The WRD Minister with Navelim MLA in tow found to their shock and surprise that all isn’t well with the spring which once attracted a steady stream of visitors given its medicinal and healing properties.
The Navelim MLA made a fervent plea to the WRD Minister to restore the spring to its lost glory and its water used for irrigation.
“I have instructed my WRD officials to prepare estimates for the beautification of the Davorlim spring on priority. Around 150 Ganesh idols are immersed in the spring water during the annual Ganesh festivities. We will restore the site at the earliest,” he said.
At Salpem lake, the Minister was taken aback by the state of the once picturesque lake, bordering Margao and Navelim. After the inspection, the Minister assured the MLA that the WRD will beautify Salpem lake and take up the work of repair and construction of the bundh to facilitate water storage.
Tuenkar said the Navelim constituency plays host to many water bodies, including lakes, adding that around 5-6 water bodies, which have been craving attention, will be taken up on priority with the support of the WRD department.
Minister warns of action against discharge in Salpem lake
MARGAO:
Asserting that it is a crime to discharge sewage and waste into lakes, springs and stormwater nullahs, Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar has warned of stern action against those discharging sewage into the Salpem lake.
Making a fervent plea to the people discharging sewage into the stormwater nullahs, which finds its way into the Salpem lake, Shirodkar suggested a stop-gap arrangement to channelise the sewage entering the lake to the sewerage plant for treatment.
“Farmers are no longer entering the fields near the Salpem lake fearing diseases as it has been devastated by sewage. But, we have to revive farming activity in the lake. This is prime agricultural land. It can be neither sold nor any industry can come up in these fields," he said.
He added: “These fields offer vast scope for the farmers to cultivate and increase the yield worth lakhs of rupees if the farmers return and take up multiple uses of the land. I have told my WRD officials to prepare an estimate to build the bundh so that the water can be used for irrigation.”
Promising to find out a permanent solution to the sewage discharge into Salpem lake, Shirodkar has mulled a solution to the problem within two years.
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Pollution board collects water samples from Margao nullah
MARGAO
Even as Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar hopped from one village to another in the Navelim constituency to take stock of the water bodies, a team of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) descended on Margao to collect water samples from the stormwater nullah at the Sirvodem-Calconda junction.
Residents had complained of a foul odour emanating from the stormwater nullah in the last few days, suspecting the discharge of chemicals into the water body. Margao Municipality acting Chairperson Deepali Sawant and residents also joined the team during the inspection.
Armed with buckets and bottles, GSPCB officials collected water samples from the stormwater nullah at different points to ascertain the nature of the chemicals being discharged into the water body.
A GSPCB official told The Goan that they have collected the water samples from various points along the stormwater nullah coming into the Sirvodem-Calconda area from the Margao railway gate.
“We will analyse the samples to find out the nature of the chemical substance released into the stormwater nullah,” the official said.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat also made his presence felt at the inspection even as he mulled action against those discharging pollutants into the nullahs.
