VALPOI
Local activists claim that unplanned development activity, construction of a retaining wall on either side of the river to prevent flooding, destruction of natural vegetation, use of explosives to kill fish, washing of clothes with soaps and detergents, releasing of untreated sewage water and dumping of garbage have been blamed for the various threats to the river.
The Karnataka government is already constructing a dam in Kankumbi area and is planning to divert water from the Valvanti river, while the construction of the Virdi irrigation dam by Maharashtra is also expected to affect the Valvanti river.
"There is no garbage treatment plant at Keri, Morlem and Poriem panchayats, forcing the villagers to dump garbage into the river basin. The river is experiencing a slow death as plastic and other non-biodegradable waste is dumped into the river. Lack of toilet facility has also forced people to defecate openly around the river," said a social activist, Devendra Gawas from Keri-Sattari.
"The WRD has constructed a retaining wall from Shiroli to Poriem to prevent floods, but has ended up destroying the natural vegetation cover protecting the river. This has led to soil erosion and has forced the river to change its course," added Gawas.
Former Poriem panch Gurudas Gaonkar said a large number of people could face drinking water shortage and irrigation could also be affected in Bicholim, Bardez and Sattari talukas, if the government failed to protect the Valvanti river.
"This river supplies water to the 40 MLD Padocem and 20 MLD Sakhali water treatment plants. The Valvanti river is also under threat due to contamination of water bodies near Poriem village. A dairy farm and a nursery near the Valvanti river is discharging waste, cow dung and garbage into the river," complained Gaonkar.
Locals had recently raised serious concern about the Valvanti river and the issue had been raised at several gram sabhas.
Denying the allegations, Valpoi WRD Assistant Engineer Babu said the protection wall was constructed by the department to prevent losses to agriculture property along the banks of Valvanti river.
