MAPUSA
Opposition to the Goa State Waste Corporation’s (GSWC) plan to acquire additional land from the Saligao comunidade, ostensibly for a buffer zone, has been mounting, with the Saligao seminary now formally voicing its disapproval.
Located on the hillock near the GSWC’s waste treatment facility, the seminary, established in 1952 as an educational institution with residential facilities, has long faced challenges due to the plant’s operations.
In a letter addressed to the GSWC managing director, Rector of the Seminary Fr Valeriano Vaz expressed strong objections to the proposed land acquisition, citing years of suffering caused by the stench from the facility.
“We have been suffering from the stench emanating from the GWMC waste processing facility for many years. Requests from villagers of Saligao, Calangute, Candolim, and Pilerne to manage waste operations properly have gone unheeded, resulting in unbearable hardship and health risks to nearby residents,” Fr Vaz wrote.
He warned that acquiring more land in the name of creating a buffer zone would only worsen matters for the neighbourhood.
Referring to the GWMC’s plan to install a boom barrier to regulate vehicular entry, he cautioned that illegalities not controlled within the facility would instead be pushed closer to the seminary and surrounding communities.
“Acquiring land for a buffer zone but not maintaining it exclusively as one will not solve the problem. Once in possession, GWMC may use the land as it wishes,” Fr Vaz stressed.
He suggested that the corporation assure the comunidade it would maintain the area clean and green as a genuine buffer zone for the treatment plant.
Expressing surprise that the request was directed solely to the Saligao comunidade and not to the neighbouring comunidades of Calangute and Candolim, Fr Vaz urged the corporation to first focus on curbing existing pollution.
“GSWC can build public confidence only by taking effective steps to control the air, soil and water pollution currently occurring due to its operations,” he said.
On behalf of the seminary and the residents of Saligao, Pilerne, Calangute and Candolim, Fr Vaz appealed to the corporation to manage the plant responsibly so that it does not become a nuisance or endanger public health.
Meanwhile, gaunkars of the Saligao comunidade and villagers at large continue to oppose the GSWC’s attempt to acquire more land.
