QUEPEM: The sudden change in colour of the water of River Kushavati, a tributary of the Zuari, has set alarm bells ringing in the villages of Avedem and Paroda through which it meanders.
Villagers seeing the change in the water colour and the foul odour emanating from the waters on May 17, suspect that either sewage waste or industrial waste has been dumped in the river thereby polluting it.
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This pollution affects not only the people who use the water for various purpose including bathing in the hot summer months, but also to the rich marine life and diverse eco-system of the river.
Joe Fernandes from Zerlabhat, Avedem demanded an investigation to identify the source of the evident pollution to identify the person responsible for harming the environment.
“Besides taking stringent action against the person responsible for committing this crime, the authorities should take measures to prevent repetition in future,” he said.
“Prompt action from the Water Resource Department is crucial in such matters so that there is sufficient fear created amongst violators of law,” said Vishal Dessai another local.
He also urged the panchayat bodies of both villages to take this pollution seriously and use their influence with the authorities to penalise the person responsible.
“I shall take this up with the authorities and Water Resources Department as it is a serious matter,” said Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa when contacted.
