PANAJI
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Monday claimed that Goa is the highest fossil fuel consuming State in the country in ratio to its population.
Speaking to media persons in Panaji, Cabral said solar energy is the best alternative available for fossil fuel and the government is trying to promote it.
Stating that solar energy is the best way to reduce use of fossil fuels, Cabral said the State government has been promoting electric vehicles and solar electricity.
"We have to increase solar grid connection. There are many grid connectivity power projects which have come up during the tenure of the BJP government,” added Cabral.
Cabral appealed to people to take the responsibility to protect the environment.
“The Goa Pollution Control Board is doing its work while acting as an ombudsman to keep a check on polluting industries but people should also cooperate by running industries without pollution,” he said.
The minister said the government has felicitated and encouraged people who have been taking the initiative to safeguard environment.
SEWERAGE CONNECTIVITY: Cabral admitted that there is only 16 percent sewerage connectivity in the State, which is far below the national average of 30 percent.
“Although Goa has developed, we are following the conventional method of septic tank for sewerage treatment. However, the use of conventional sewerage treatment methods is degrading the environment,” said Cabral.
“In the next five years, the State government will achieve a target of exceeding the national connectivity rate by taking people into confidence,” said Cabral.
The minister admitted that poor maintenance at sewage plants had led people to have misconceptions and apprehensions about sewerage plants, causing opposition to such sewage treatment plants.
"There are pipelines laid but there is no connectivity of sewerage. This has happened at many places. Connections have to be done. For this, we have to take people into confidence. We have to form committees and put those opposing the plants on these committees and they have to be given responsibility,” said Cabral.
