the goan I network
OLD GOA
Several residents of Old Goa and surrounding areas led by historian Prof Prajal Sakhardande held a protest march on Tuesday against the dumping of garbage near the historic fort wall of Old Goa.
Carambolim Sarpanch Uttam Murgaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch Menino Cardozo, panch Rajesh Naik, former ZP Nilesh Shirodkar, Mutt representative and nuns also participated in the protest march.
It may be recalled that The Goan had highlighted that the Old Goa police had attached seven trucks used for the dumping of garbage near the fort wall allegedly at the behest of the CCP.
The Carambolim panchayat and Old Goa residents complained about the same.
Speaking to the media, Sakhardande said the moat of the fort had been filled with garbage and mud.
“Garbage dumping cannot be done within the fort wall. It is one of the largest fort walls. There is also a spring nearby and it is likely to be contaminated because of the garbage dumped here,” he stated.
“We demand a stop to garbage dumping at this site. The moat should be restored to its original position and the site should be declared as an eco-sensitive zone by the TCP heritage and conservation committee as well as the biodiversity committee because Archaeology Department is not doing anything about it,” Sakhardande informed.
Speaking on the issue, Carambolim Sarpanch Uttam Murgaonkar said the panchayat has already sent a notice to the owner of the property as well as the CCP mayor to clear the garbage dumped and restore the land to its original position, as no licence has been issued by the panchayat.
“We have also sent a copy to the Minister for Waste Management Michael Lobo, GSPCB, North Goa Collector, Health Department, Director of Panchayats, BDO and Old Goa police station, but no action is forthcoming,” Murgaonkar decried, while adding that it has been noticed that now mud has been dumped over the garbage.
