the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa State Pollution Control Board has cracked the whip against the Colva village panchayat for non-complying with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
In separate orders that have brought to the fore the burning garbage issue in the village, the GSPCB has slapped a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the coastal Panchayat, Rs five lakh each for causing damage to the environment in the absence of solid waste management, and secondly, for its failure to put in place sanitation facilities during the Colva Fama
fair.
Invoking “polluter pays” principle in terms of directions of the Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal, GSPCB chairman Ganesh Shetgaonkar, in separate orders, directed the Colva panchayat secretary to deposit the compensation of Rs 10 lakh with the Board within seven days, which will be subsequently spent by the Board for restoration of the environment.
The GSPCB has warned the panchayat secretary that failure to comply with the directions will compel the Board to initiate stringent action against the Colva village panchayat in terms of Environment Protection Act, 1986 read with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and directions of the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal at New Delhi without further notice.
The GSPCB action comes following an inspection conducted by the GSPCB on January 8 of the black spots in the village following a complaint from social activist Judith Almeida.
During the inspection, the GSPCB had come across burning of dry waste with some plastic waste next to the cemetery. The GSPCB team had also found mix garbage strewn all along the road side from Gandaulim leading to the Bollywood
Queen.
Heaps of dry garbage was seen next to a group of cottages, besides the fields next to a couple of resorts in the village.
The team had come across many black spots in the jurisdiction of the coastal village panchayat. The GSPCB reported pointed out that traces of burnt garbage was seen at many waste dumping places in the village. Traces of fresh waste were seen near 3rd ward, leading to the beach side. The report further observed that dry waste was found along road sides and many a black spots were seen at various locations in the jurisdiction of the
village.
In the meantime, GSPCB issued a host of directions to the Colva VP under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 read with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 by immediately clearing the garbage from the road side to avoid health hazards.
The panchayat was asked to submit a solid waste management plan for implementation of the same by the panchayat body. The panchayat was further directed to make the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) operational given that the Board has already granted approval for such a
facility.
The panchayat has been further directed to submit details of the dry waste collected and disposed of by the panchayat for the last three years.
