the goan I network
VASCO
WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Tuesday hailed the innovative project of beautification and proposed aquaculture in Baina lake and said that if successful, the scope of work could be taken up under WRD in different parts of Goa.
Rodrigues was speaking to reporters after checking in on the works at Baina lake in the presence of Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and others.
The Baina tank was in a bad state with sewerage from surrounding areas being discharged into the tank and was in urgent need of attention.
Almeida, in September 2012, had proposed to desilt the lake and suggested construction of side walls and installing solar aerators for oxygenation of the water body to increase storage and recharge ground water, increase water table of nearby wells, use drinking water for cattle and open existing spring for tanks.
Speaking to the media, Rodrigues said that solar aerators would oxygenate the water to create healthy environment for fishes and other aquatic organisms, remove odour and taste due to algae and gases and increase dissolved oxygen content in the water.
“I have given instructions to continue the work irrespective of how much the project may cost, because unless it is completed to a certain extent, we may not be able to judge,” said Rodrigues, adding, “We are looking at this as a pilot project. If it is successful, it can be taken up in other areas.”
“We are doing conservation of water to treat and use it for drinking purpose. We will examine the quality of water after aquaculture is taken up to see what kind of fish can be bred here. Future proposals are to have solar fountain subemersible pumps and breeding of fish in the tank,” he added.
Almeida said that there were many departments including Fisheries, WRD, Urban Development, etc involved in the project.
“We will take up the next project for birds in Maimolem lake,” Almeida said adding that this was the first time a project to recharge ground water was being taken up.
“I am requesting the authorities and municipality to stop people from letting sewage into the lake. This is a beautiful lake that I want to develop and beautify it to set an example for other areas,” said Almeida.
