VALPOI
Taking serious note of garbage accumulation in the Valvanti River, the Goa Human Rights Commission has directed the panchayats of Morlem, Keri, and Poriem to inspect the river every six months and to ensure periodic removal of garbage.
The three-member commission, headed by chairperson Justice U V Bakre and consisting of Pramod Kamat and Desmond D’Costa, said the three panchayats should take steps to minimise pollution in the Valvanti river and its tributaries.
When the issue of garbage accumulation in the Valvanti River was highlighted in the media in 2018, the commission issued notices to the government.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board then inspected the river and found there were no public toilets, which had led open defecation in the river and water contamination.
The Keri panchayat was then directed to install roadside public toilets to prevent open defecation in the river.
An inspection by the Community Health Centre in Keri also revealed that many houses by the riverside did not have toilets. Notices were then issued to the houses in Keri and Morlem for releasing waste in the river.
When contacted, Keri Sarpanch Govind Gawas said the panchayat is determined to control pollution in the Valvanti river. “Earlier, a lot of garbage had accumulated in the river, but now the panchayat has taken a number of steps to stop the dumping of garbage in the river.”
“The panchayat has already started door-to-door garbage collection in the village, especially from houses and shops along the Goa-Karnataka highway. Dustbins are also supplied to shop owners along the highway and a special campaign has been launched in this regard.”
“Since water from the Valvanti river is used for drinking purpose to many parts of North Goa through the Padoshe and Sankhali water purification plants, it is everyone’s responsibility to preserve and protect the river,” said Gawas.
He informed that the State government would be constructing over 100 toilets in the area, as part of efforts to ensure an open defecation free village.
“The issues raised by the Goa Human Rights Commission will be considered seriously. The installation of public toilets was delayed due to availability of land along the Goa-Karnataka highway,” said Gawas.
When contacted, Poriem Sarpanch Chandan Gurav said a door-to-door garbage collection drive has already been already initiated by the panchayat, which had significantly reduced garbage in open spaces.
“A signboard appealing to people not to throw garbage in the Valvanti river has also been installed along the highway. Under the open defecation free project, many toilets have been sanctioned in the village and they will be constructed shortly,” added Gurav.
