MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) may have to answer a simple query from the citizenry “ how come the garden waste from the municipal garden is being disposed of by burning when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned the nuisance?
This question may come to haunt the two authorities with no end to waste burning on the northern portion of the sprawling Margao municipal garden, in front of the Margao head post office almost every alternate day.
Citizens pointed out that the garden waste is being set afire in the municipal garden during the afternoon session. It is not uncommon to find thick smoke billowing from the garden almost every alternate day, leaving many questions unanswered as to why the MMC is allowing this right under the nose of the Chief Officer, Chairperson and city fathers.
When the incident was brought to the notice of the MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes and the sanitation section, they were quick to point out that waste, garden waste or otherwise, cannot be disposed of by burning.
The MMC Chief Officer informed that the civic workers were not involved in the act of waste burning in the garden. The sanitation section went a step further in saying the northern portion of the garden is in possession of the forest department for its upkeep and maintenance and is liable for the action of its workers.
“Waste burning is banned in public places by the NGT. I will send a notice to the forest department to get its workers drafted for maintenance work at the garden to stop waste burning,” the CO said.
City-based doctor and former Chairperson Dr Babita Angle Prabhudesai said it is shocking that waste was being burnt as a matter of routine in the garden right under the nose of the civic authorities. “The MMC will be liable to be hauled by the NGT’s polluter pays principle”, she said.
She added: “When MMC is responsible for the collection and disposal of the waste generated in the commercial capital, it is surprising it is being disposed of by burning, posing a health risk to the citizens.”
