PANAJI
Goa’s first Ramsar site -- Nanda lake -- and several other notified wetlands are amongst the 39 stagnant water bodies that are highly polluted posing significant risk to public health and the environment, making them unsuitable for outdoor bathing. The State pollution authority has decided to identify the source of pollution in these water bodies, which are slowly turning into breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors.
In a communication to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on April 8, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has submitted a report with regards to 41 water bodies that includes lakes, tanks and ponds under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
Of these, only two -- Harvalem waterfall and Anjunem Lake -- are classified as ‘Class C’ water bodies with water quality meeting the prescribed critical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, ph, biological oxygen demand, faecal coliform, etc.
“Whereas 39 others are classified under Class E as having worst water quality, which mean they are not fit for outdoor bathing but only for irrigation, industrial cooling and controlled discharge purposes,” the Board said.
Curchorem’s Nanda lake was recognized as Ramsar site in August 2022. The lake is on the global map for its importance in providing ecological services. With an area of 42 ha, it is one of the largest wetlands in Goa.
The water bodies include Ambulor Lake, Bandolem lake, Batim Lake, Betal temple lake, Bondvol lake, Canturlim lake, Carambolim lake, Cottombi lake, Curca lake, Curtorim Lake, Dashi lake, Dhakte (Diuler) lake, Dhulpe lake, Durga lake, Gawali-Maula lake, Kamala Lake, Karmale Lake, Khandepar lake, Macasannnna lake, Maimollem lake, Malebhaat lake, Mayem lake, Orlim lake, Panchami Lake, Parra lake, Pilerne/Saulem lake, Raitollem lake, Saipem lake, Sappu Tollem, Sarzora lake, Sulbhat lake, Talaulim lake, Tarvale lake, Tarvalem lake, Toyyar lake, Udden Lake, Vodle Tollem and Xeldem lake are classified under Class E.
Lakes like Bondvol, Carambolim, Dashi, Dhakte, Saipem, Orlim, Sarzora, Xeldem, Toyyar, Durga are some of the notified wetlands- where the development activities within the waterbody as well as within its zone of influence are already regulated under Wetland (conservation and management) Rules 2017.
The Board said that the CPCB periodically reviews water quality data of aquatic resources monitored under NWMP and the water quality data of stagnant water bodies for the year 2023 for critical parameters are compared with primary water quality criteria for outdoor bathing. “The Board will be identifying the source of pollution as these water bodies need attention to improve its water standard,” it said.
According to the authorities, stagnant water bodies are indeed prone to pollution due to the lack of flow and aeration which allows pollutants to accumulate and harmful substances to thrive.
