THE GOAN
PANAJI
Goa’s rivers, beaches and coastal waters support tourism, fishing, traditional livelihoods and diverse ecosystems. However, recent studies by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Goa University have highlighted concerns ranging from sewage contamination and antibiotic-resistant bacteria to microplastics and heavy metals. With many affected areas also being popular tourist destinations, these findings add scientific weight to local complaints about foul smells and deteriorating water quality.
Mandovi contamination
An article published by The Goan on October 20 reported that “all 44 Mandovi water samples fail faecal-coliform safety limits”. According to the GSPCB’s interim assessment, all 44 samples collected from 22 locations on August 24 exceeded the permissible limit of 100 MPN/100 ml. The Board identified land-based sewage discharges, including those entering through the St Inez and Rua de Ourem creeks, as a concern, and the findings have raised questions about the river’s health and the livelihoods that depend on it.
Beach water quality
Goa’s coastal waters have also come under scrutiny. A study by NIO’s Biological Oceanography and Chemical Oceanography divisions, published on October 16 and reported by The Goan on October 19, found that water quality at several major recreational beaches worsened during the monsoon. It also detected bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics in both monsoon and non-monsoon seasons, raising concerns about the quality of waters used by tourists and locals.
Microplastic pollution
Microplastic pollution in the Zuari river is another concern. A Goa University study, reported by The Goan on October 14, 2024, identified tourism, fishing, raw sewage and improper waste disposal as contributors to microplastic hotspots. “Key contributors to microplastic pollution in the river include untreated domestic sewage, commercial fishing, tourism activities, ropes, jetties, and surface runoff from land-based plastic waste,” the study stated. Microplastics measuring 0.3–1 mm were most common, raising concerns about their ingestion by aquatic organisms and entry into the food chain. Researchers called for further studies on possible effects on seafood and salt pans, given the river’s role in traditional salt-farming practices.
Heavy metal risks
Potential health risks also emerge from a NIO study published in July 2026 and reported by The Goan on August 3. The paper, titled “Distribution, Bioaccumulation and Human Health Risk of Mercury and Cadmium in Coastal Sediments and Oysters along the Goa Coast, India”, found that oysters (Saccostrea cucullata) contained cadmium levels above permissible safety limits at most sampling sites, raising concerns about the possible risks of consuming them.
From findings to actionTogether, these studies point to a larger concern: while pollution in Goa’s rivers and coastal waters is being documented, the challenge lies in translating scientific findings into effective action. Identifying contamination is only the first step. Addressing it requires better sewerage and waste management, regular monitoring, coordination among government departments and follow-up on research recommendations. Without this, studies risk remaining records of environmental deterioration rather than tools for change. The question is no longer just what is polluting Goa’s waters, but what is being done to stop it.
A closer look at these studies makes one thing clear: Goa’s waters need more than surface-level solutions. Addressing pollution requires understanding its sources, tracking changes over time and ensuring that scientific findings lead to practical action. We spoke to experts across the state to understand what these findings mean, where the gaps lie and what needs to be done to protect Goa’s water bodies.
Need for verification
Dr Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board and in-charge chairperson of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), said the recent studies by CSIR-NIO scientists were important, particularly as they addressed public concerns and had long-term implications for the areas studied. However, he said the findings needed further verification, as the samples might not represent entire areas and the concerns were location-specific rather than applicable to the entire State. GSPCB would collect additional samples, verify the parameters and address pollution at its source wherever necessary, he said, adding that the Board would interact with researchers and coordinate with relevant departments. He also stressed the need to determine whether local communities directly consumed resources from the affected areas and whether they tested these before consumption, noting that the studies did not adequately address this. While caution was necessary, he said, there was no need for panic.
Baseline data gap
Dr Baban Ingole, retired chief scientist at CSIR-NIO, Goa, pointed to another gap: the lack of baseline data against which changes in marine ecosystems can be measured. He said several studies on marine biology, ecology, biodiversity and pollution had been conducted by CSIR-NIO, Goa University and other researchers, but few compared their findings with earlier studies. “The results show significant changes in marine life, largely due to increased pollution. However, very few studies have compared these changes with earlier findings, probably due to the absence of a benchmark or baseline,” he said.
Fish catch trends
Ingole also cautioned against interpreting rising fish catches as evidence of increasing fish populations. “This needs to be highlighted: there is no increase in fish in the sea, but we have increased our efforts to catch more because the demand has also increased. If marine pollution is affecting marine life and ecology, then how are fish catches increasing?” he said, pointing to improvements in fishing technology and the expansion of fishing into deeper waters and wider areas.
Protecting marine lifeOn protecting marine biodiversity, Ingole called for stronger measures to regulate fishing and safeguard breeding grounds. “I think the government is not interested in taking strong action because it will affect their voters,” he said. He called for regulations on fishing net mesh sizes, effective action against illegal fishing and legal protection for fish breeding and nursery grounds. He also questioned the lack of marine protected areas in Goa, noting that the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao primarily protects birds and some mammals rather than marine fish and other marine biodiversity.
Sharing research findings
A senior scientist at the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) said research findings and recommendations often remain on paper as administrative exercises, without being adequately shared with regulatory authorities, relevant government departments, stakeholders or the public. “Making these findings accessible would improve transparency and allow greater public scrutiny of local environmental issues,” he said. He also called for an integrated approach among government departments, with better coordination and confidence to ensure effective follow-up and build public trust. He clarified that these were his personal views and did not necessarily reflect those of the department or organisation he serves.
Improving waste management
Sujeetkumar Dongre, scientist at the Centre for Environment Education, said the studies could help the State strengthen environmental management, particularly in sewerage and waste management. “These are important scientific studies that provide valuable insights into the current condition of the coastal and marine environment. Although the findings are concerning, as highlighted in recently published newspaper articles, they can help the State devise better environmental management systems by improving coastal civic amenities, particularly sewerage and waste management practices. It is also important to consult the researchers for their scientific recommendations on how to improve the situation. Water quality is directly affected by the discharge of untreated domestic sewage into water bodies,” he said.
Practical solutions
Prof Manoj Borkar, senior academic and biologist, said researchers must go beyond documenting environmental degradation and offer practical solutions. He cautioned that highlighting environmental damage without suggesting solutions could cause public concern and have economic repercussions in a state like Goa, where tourism is closely linked to the environment. Scientists, he said, must provide recommendations that stakeholders and the government can incorporate into effective action plans.
Borkar added that legislation and enforcement alone would not be enough to address pollution. He called for consultation with scientists, preventive action, and periodic assessments and sampling based on vulnerability mapping. He also pointed to the continued discharge of human waste into water bodies due to inadequate sewage treatment, calling for treatment up to the tertiary level and the revival of defunct sewage treatment plants. Medical waste, too, must be managed appropriately to prevent environmental contamination. “Importantly, environmental stewardship is easier said than done,” he said, stressing the need for citizens to take responsibility for their immediate surroundings.
Sustained actionUltimately, protecting Goa’s water bodies will require more than scientific studies and regulations. Regular monitoring, better coordination between researchers and authorities, and action to address pollution at its source will be essential to ensure that these findings translate into lasting change.
