Team Herald
MARGAO: The wanton dumping of mixed waste such as soiled diapers, household garbage including non-biodegradable plastics, and rotting chicken carcasses has turned a beautiful rivulet at Mandopa, Navelim, into a murky, stinking dump site.
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A large number of domestic cattle, besides stray dogs and stray cattle were seen feeding on the plastic waste, likely to lead to the death of these animals, and further contaminating the water body.
Taking serious note of the situation, citizens call for local residents to play their part in curbing the garbage menace in the village, rather than fully depending on the local panchayat for the task.
Speaking to Herald, Carmo Carneiro, a resident of Navelim, expressed shock that even dirty
diapers have been thrown into the rivulet and on the roadside.
A huge amount of non-biodegradable waste and hazardous waste including butane bottles, torchlights and remote-control batteries, waste from a fast-food restaurant, and heaps of polyethylene carry bags choke the rivulet.
“We have been witnessing this situation getting worse for several days now,” said Carneiro, adding that people and migrant workers living in rented rooms in the locality can also be witnessed throwing their waste into the rivulet. “This has turned the once-pristine rivulet into a filthy place. How can I see my village and its serene beauty, its virgin flora and fauna destroyed in front of my eyes?” he questioned.
Carmo also appealed to the public to bring all the authorities concerned to task as they have failed to fulfil their duties pertaining to garbage management and contamination of the rivulet.
“If we the villagers don’t unite and bring them to task, we are answerable to our future
generations,” he warned.
