MARGAO
What was feared all along by the farmers over the discharge of sewage water into the once picturesque Salpem lake has come true.
Even as the farmers have started preparing the once fallow fields admeasuring 2.5 lakh square metres in the coming season, they have found to their shock and surprise how sewage water from the nearing residential houses is discharged into the fields.
In fact, the farmers have come across septic tanks and soakpits overflowing with the water entering the fields, and contaminating the water.
They pointed out that the septic tanks and soakpits were not visible all this time and they were uncovered after the vegetation was cleared from the area.
Taken aback of the new development, the farmers pointed out that while they have set on a mission to bring around 2.5 lakh square metres of fields at the Salpem lake under cultivation, they have encountered a new challenge “ the discharge of sewage water by the adjoining housing societies in the lake.
In fact, the farmers have now decided to knock the doors of the Health department with a plea to inspect the fields and to issue notices to the violators, and to disconnect water supply to the residential societies.
“Grey water is entering the fields from the septic tanks and soakpits. We fail to understand who has given the permission to construct the septic tanks and soakpits in the Comunidade land,” they wondered.
Pointing out that the authorities had in the past ignored the complaints of the farmers to stop the untreated sewage water contaminating the fields, the farmers have now demanded criminal action against the culprits to save the fields for posterity.
