MARGAO
Underscoring the need for conservation of rain water for potable use and also utilize treated effluents for gardening or other secondary purposes, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued directions for the constitution of a Joint Committee comprising of Goa Secretary, Environment to look into the issue of better utilization of rain water and disposal of treated effluent at a Cavelossim-based hotel for secondary purposes.
The NGT has directed the panel to take a decision after an interaction with the Project proponent and other stake holders. The Secretary, Environment will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The meeting may be held within one month and decision taken within one month thereafter.
The NGT has directed that an action taken report may be filed with the Registrar of Western Zone Bench on or before July 31, 2022 by email at [email protected] preferably in the form of searchable PDF/ OCR Support PDF and not in the form of Image PDF. If considered necessary, report may be placed before the Bench for further directions.
The NGT’s observations and directions came in a petition filed by the Cavelossim Villagers Forum complaining that Hotel Leela Venture Ltd. has laid underground pipes, alleging that the pipelines are discharging untreated sewage and waste water generated from the business activities of the Project Proponent into the river Sal.
The hotel, on the other hand, had contended that the pipes are being used to carry excess water during monsoon and not to carry waste/sewage water.
Incidentally, the NGT bench observed if the underground pipeline is not carrying waste/sewage water, the pipes are not required and may be closed.
The Tribunal, however, raised the question whether rainwater should be conserved for potable purposes, observing that even in coastal area where water as such is otherwise available, there is scarcity for the potable water for the inhabitants, necessitating harvesting of rain water. “Thus, instead of storm water being taken to the river, it may be advisable to conserve the said water in an appropriate manner so that potable water can be better utilized. Further, treated effluent by the project proponent be utilized for gardening or other secondary purposes”, the Bench observed while directing the constitution of a Joint Committee comprising Secretary, Environment, Goa, Secretary, Water Resources Department, Goa and State PCB.
The joint Committee may look into issue of better utilisation of rain water and disposal of treated effluent for secondary purposes and take an appropriate decision in the matter, after interaction with the Project Proponent and other stake holders.
Meanwhile, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) member Secretary Dashrath Redkar has now fixed a joint inspection of the hotel by the NGT-constituted Joint Committee on May 24.
Cavelossim Villagers Forum president Adv. Irish Passainha said the Forum had knocked the doors of the NGT on two counts, one, seeking directions to the Hotel to remove the underground pipeline and to restore the land which was reclaimed for parking for the BRICS summit in Goa.
“The NGT has directed closure of the pipes and to undertake rainwater harvesting for portable use and treat the sewage and utilize the treated effluent for secondary purposes”, Irish said.
