The River Sal faces pollution from various sources. There are the slum areas of Margao City whose pollutants find their way into the river. Treatment of sewage is a massive operation. Rather than junkets abroad for tourism, studies need to be done on sewage treatment methods employed abroad or in other cities of India. Sand mining should be permitted only in areas which require desilting. Such areas have been outlined in a recent study. Sand mining in other areas destroys the riverine ecosystem and thus marine life.
The government policy of ODF Goa also goes hand in hand with the same issue. A study by the NIO had detected presence of coliform bacteria in the river bodies of Goa. A number of hotels and residential societies are also found to be releasing waste water into public drains. The problem arises because the competent local bodies are found unwilling to take on these violators or are ready to turn a blind eye with some inducement. Mankind needs to note that once our rivers and fields have been destroyed the only food available to us could be humans.
