Citizens seek urgent clean-up drive, warn of threat to aquatic biodiversity
Plastic waste floating in water stored at a check dam in Sattari, Valpoi.
Valpoi
Riverbeds across Sattari taluka are increasingly getting polluted due to plastic waste and chemical-mixed garbage, with large quantities of plastic bottles and empty liquor bottles found dumped at several locations. Citizens have warned that if the riverbeds are not cleaned before the monsoon, it could seriously affect aquatic biodiversity.
Residents have urged village panchayats to focus on cleaning river stretches within their jurisdiction. They have also demanded that the Block Development Office issue necessary directions and that the Water Resources Department take the issue seriously, fearing that plastic and chemical waste may get washed into rivers during the monsoon, causing severe water pollution.
Sattari taluka has several rivers, with the Mhadei, Ragada and Valvanti being the major perennial rivers. During summer, many people visit these rivers for bathing and picnics. Locals claim incidents of alcohol consumption and unruly behaviour are common, with empty liquor bottles often left behind in riverbeds and bathing spots.
Residents also said most biodiversity committees in Sattari remain inactive, except for the committee in Keri.
Citizens have called on the Sattari Block Development Office, which oversees 12 village panchayats, to direct immediate cleaning drives. They have also sought intervention from the Goa Waste Management Corporation and the Goa Biodiversity Board. Plastic waste has also accumulated in check dams built under the “Save Water, Recharge Water” scheme, raising concerns ahead of the monsoon.
