the goan I network
MAPUSA
The worst fears of locals residing in Baga have come true. The water in Baga creek has been found to be severely polluted.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in a report has said the sewage discharge has caused severe water pollution of the Baga creek.
At least two resorts and four other commercial units adjacent to the creek have been found flouting GSPCB rules on various counts.
After an inspection of the hotels along the creek in February, GSPCB officials found Maizons Resort in Arpora, Riverside Regency Resort in Baga, Mayonna Creek Side in Baga, and Saltwater Café Casual Dinning, Baga had no consent to operate from the pollution board.
The pollution board also observed that the popular outlet at Arpora “ Star Light Bar and Restaurant, Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portico Resort, Mayonna Creek Side and Saltwater Café Casual Dining openly discharged its waste water into the creek.
Issuing a notice to six commercial units for violating various norms, the pollution board has asked them to show cause why the operation of the unit should not be directed to be closed/suspended for operating without valid consent to operate as required under the Water Act and Air Act.
GSPCB has also directed Maizons Resort, Arpora and Riverside Regency Resort, Baga to install Sewage Treatment Plant to treat waste water generated by them.
During the inspection it was found that Star Light Bar and Restaurant was discharging its sewage into the open in the Tambudki Lake.
A test of the water sample of the lake showed that total coliform parameter exceeded the permissible limits. Similarly, total coliform parameter of the water sample from the Creek close to the location of Maizons Resort was also found exceeding the permissible limits.
Further the GSPCB officials found that Saltwater Café Casual Dinning hotel in Baga discharged its waste water into the Baga Creek through an underground pipeline.
Another hotel, Mayonna Creek Side in Baga was also found discharging its waste water into the Baga Creek.
Only Lazy Lagoon, a 39-room resort had a valid consent of the GSPCB and also a sewerage treatment plant. However, at the time of inspection it was found that a pipe from the collection tank of the STP was diverted into the Creek.
GSPCB, member, Shawn Martins said all the commercial units that have violated various mandatory norms will have to either comply with them of face closure. “Those who have failed to get consent from the Board have to apply fresh and all resorts having above 25 room capacity will have to setup their own STP,” Martins said.
In bid to rejuvenate the polluted Baga Creek, Martins said, GSPCB has plans to approach the Water Resources Department to de-silt and adopt scientific measures to revive it.
