MAPUSA
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has determined that Tuesday’s fish mortality incident in Cacora was caused by leachate from a nearby remediated dump and not by industrial pollution or chemicals.
This conclusion was reached following a prompt investigation by GSPCB officials on Tuesday evening.
Upon arrival at the site, the GSPCB team identified a legacy dump close to the rivulet as the source of the problem.
The dump, which had been remediated by civic authorities, released leachate into the water body during the first rains of the season.
This sudden influx of contaminants increased the concentration of pollutants in the water, leading to the death of the fish.
“Close to the waste treatment plant, there is a legacy dump that was remediated by the civic authorities. During the first rains, all the leachate seeped into the water body, suddenly increasing the concentration of pollutants and resulting in the fish mortality,” explained Mahesh Patil, Chairman of GSPCB.
Patil emphasised that there was no evidence of industrial or chemical pollution contributing to the incident.
“It’s only because of the remediated dump which drained into the rivulet and caused the fish to die,” he added.
In response to the findings, the GSPCB has issued instructions to authorities concerned to clear the affected area to prevent further contamination.
The presence of a large number of dead fish floating in the rivulet near the waste treatment plant at Cacora-Curchorem was reported on Tuesday, drawing immediate attention to the environmental issue.
The GSPCB’s swift action underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining remediated sites to prevent unintended environmental impacts.
This incident highlights the need for thorough and ongoing oversight to protect local water bodies and aquatic life from contamination.
