Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notice to the State government taking cognisance of a writ petition filed by a farmer alleging that three industries based in Pissurlem have polluted and destroyed his farm.
Manohar Mahadev Parab has sought compensation from three industrial units for the loss of land and cultivation as a result of untreated waste water being discharged into his field. He also seeks that authorities, including Goa State Pollution Control Board, inspect and if violations by industries are found, then their licenses to operate be suspended.
Parab stated that out of 40,000 sq mtrs, he uses an area of about 12,000 sq mtrs for paddy cultivation and the rest is a cashew, teak plantation and has other fruit bearing trees like mangoes, jackfruit etc. “This property abuts the nullah on one side which flows with rain water in the rainy season and passes through Pissurlem village. A portion of this property was acquired by the Government of Goa for setting up an industrial estate,” he said.
According to him three industrial units that are within a distance of 200 metres from residences have been discharging toxic and waste water (sludge) in the nullah which flows along the property and others and this industrial waste (sludge) is entering his field and fields of other farmers, leading to a loss and making it difficult to carry out any cultivation.
Parab, who had earlier approached various authorities seeking relief, has now moved the High Court seeking justice. The notices issued to seven respondents including the government and the industries are returnable on June 7.
