Farmers demand urgent action to trace source of pollution
The Vodlem lake which has raised a stink with sewage odour emanating from the water body.
MARGAO
As foul odour continues to emanate from the Vodlem Tollem in Benaulim, farmers and social activists have demanded that agencies such as the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the district Collector take cognizance of the pollution and bring the people involved in discharging sewage into the water body to book.
As usual, the sluice gate of the Vodlem Tollem was closed around 10 days ago to store water for irrigation of the fields. However, the sluice gates were opened after local residents as well as farmers complained of strong sewage odour emanating from the water body.
Though the gates of the water body were opened last three days, the entire place is stinking of sewage odour.
Farmer Raymond D’Costa, who cultivates paddy at the Tolleaband fields said farmers cultivate two crops with the help of the water stored in the Vodlem Tollem. “We had closed the gates of the water body to facilitate water storage, but since the water has turned black in colour and emitting sewage odour, we have been forced to open the gates for the discharge of the water,” he added.
Social activist Santan Pereira demanded that agencies such as the GSPCB should take suo moto cognisance of the sewage odour emanating from the Vodlem water body and find out the source of pollution.
“It has now become a practice for the authorities, including the agencies to act only when they are in receipt of applications from the public. Since this is a public issue, the authorities including the GSPCB should act and find out the nature and source of pollution,” Santan demanded.
