MAPUSA
A fresh controversy is brewing in Saligao after the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) sought additional Comunidade land around the Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF), ostensibly to create a “buffer zone” as per pollution control norms.
Villagers, however, suspect the move is a backdoor plan to double the plant’s capacity and turn their villages into Goa’s garbage hub.
In a letter to the Saligao Comunidade, GWMC Managing Director Harish Adconkar said the Corporation intends to lease land under Article 334-C of the Code of Comunidade to comply with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines that mandate buffer areas around waste processing plants.
“A detailed proposal note will be submitted shortly,” Adconkar wrote, urging the managing committee to place the matter before its extraordinary general body meeting on September 7.
The letter also flagged environmental concerns.
GWMC alleged that sewage tankers parked along the approach road to the facility had been discharging effluents, while illegal dumping of solid waste and construction debris had been noticed on Comunidade land.
To curb this, the Corporation said it would install a boom barrier to regulate vehicle entry and exit.
But residents and activists are not convinced.
Many fear that the “buffer zone” is just a smokescreen for expansion of the SWMF, whose capacity was already raised from 100 tonnes per day (TPD) to 250 TPD.
“This means our villages will become the garbage capital of Goa. Expect more stench, pollution of our lands, water and air,” a villager warned.
Another local described the proposal as “not development, but a death warrant for our health, environment and way of life.”
The Saligao panchayat has already taken a stand, passing a resolution at its August 25 fortnightly meeting to oppose the creation of the buffer zone.
Sarpanch Lucas Remedious has formally communicated this objection to the GWMC.
Several Comunidade members too have vowed to campaign against the proposal when it comes up before the general body.
The Comunidade managing committee, however, appears more receptive.
Comunidade President Glenn Dantas said any decision would depend on the general body but urged calm.
“First of all, we must understand what is a buffer zone. If the government wants, it can acquire the land by ordinance. No point making noise. As per my knowledge, no construction is going to come up in the buffer zone,” Dantas said.
He also dismissed the panchayat’s objection to the buffer zone proposal.
“First of all, the panchayat has nothing to do in it because it is Comunidade land,” he said.
The September 7 meeting is expected to see a sharp divide – between government-backed plans and a growing public outcry from Saligao and its neighbours.
