MARGAO
On June 8, 2021, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral with Environment Secretary Kunal, Water Resources Department Chief Engineer, Pramod Badami, WRD Executive Engineer Ankush Gaonkar PWD Sewerage Executive engineer, Joaquim Fernandes in tow were spotted inspecting the broken sewage chamber near the Comba ring road as the sewage waters found its way into the storm water nullah to the river Sal.
August 10, 2021: A couple of passersby were found assembled near the storm water nullah on Tuesday, but for a different reason. They were all assembled to take a glimpse of the fresh water fish “tigur” as the cat fish had come on the water surface.
As the passersby made a halt near the spot, the water was stinking with sewage, indicating that the greenish coloured water was not rain water, but sewage flowing from the sewerage line passing along the route.
A local youth pointed out that “Tigurs” coming at the surface of the water at the storm water nullah, carrying sewage water, is not uncommon. In fact, they pointed out that the storm water nullah carrying sewage waters from the underground line has been playing host to the phenomenon for quite some time. This has even prompted some enthusiastic youngsters to descend on the banks of the storm water nullah to net the fish.
Scientist Dr Joe D’Souza has sounded a note of caution, saying all may not be well with the quality of the water in the storm water nullah. “The fish has come on the surface as it may be under stress. Leave alone “Tigur”, other variety of fish in the nullah may disappear if the situation continues.”
He added: “The local authorities should not ignore the situation. If the phenomenon is indeed caused by the sewage content in the water, it’s time the local authorities intervene and adopt methods to improve the water quality and save the rich biodiversity.”
An official working with the Fisheries Department, however, said that tigurs breed in dirty and sewage waters and may not be directly affected by the oxygen content in the water. The official, however, warned that consuming the fish directly may prove to be a health hazard.
During his visit to the nullah exactly two months ago, a visibly moved Cabral has expressed regret that the sewage is flowing into the storm water nullah in the heart of the Commercial capital.
The Environment Minister has mooted a temporary solution to the issue, even suggesting whether pumping will stop the sewage water from flowing into the storm water nullah. While PWD officials claim they have installed a pump to pump out the sewage water from the broken chamber, the water continue to emanate foul sewage odour.
