Team Herald
VASCO: Verna villagers unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) at the gram sabha on Sunday.
The gram sabha members opined that this project would lead to contamination of lakes, ponds, waterfalls, springs, canals and wells; further, incinerators, leachate and strewn garbage would cause air and soil pollution in Verna area.
Initially, Sarpanch Marie Loren Fernandes informed the gram sabha members that integrated plant proposed on the Verna-Loutolim plateau near Poreabhat opposite chapel under 20-point programme.
She said that Verna would have to face adverse effect if this project comes up at the Verna plateau. Fernandes also revealed that recently she and few other people met Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa and discussed about SWMP project. “Our MLA supports the locals on this issue,” she informed.
Later, villager Judith Rebello said that although the area where the project is about to come up may fall in Loutolim, there are villages at the base of this plateau and the people fetch water from the water bodies which are present at the base.
Rebello, who is the president of Verna village Biodiversity committee, stated that the sources of these natural springs, wells as well as the sources of river Sal would get contaminated if this SWMP materialises. Citing the recent worm epidemic wherein many watermelon plantations got destroyed as an example, she said, “The SWMP will pollute the water bodies and the land due to which people will have to suffer.”
Rebello also opined that thousands of Verna locals should come out against this integrated solid waste management plant project because the law says that a SWMP cannot come up in the public localities, catchment areas, near airport, natural springs etc.
Villager Tony suggested that merely taking resolutions and meetings won’t solve the issue, the panchayat has to seek the help of the judiciary and should bring immediate stay order on this project.
Villager Salus Cardozo stated that initially much was spoken about Saleigao SWMP but now people living in the vicinity are complaining about garbage. “Saliegao SWMP is a disaster. To avoid such a fate, we Verna people must stay united,” he said.
He warned that if the project comes up, then, garbage from various places from South Goa would most likely go there for treatment. “Further, environmental impact assessment report is necessary before bringing such a project in village,” Cardozo said.
Other locals opined that the panchayat should come up with three solutions and then the representatives should meet Minister for Waste Management Micheal Lobo and explain to him that each village should have its own SWMP.
to treat their own village waste. “Merely shouting and confronting ministers without having any solution won’t solve the problem. People need to think in long term,” he added.
Later, the gram sabha unanimously adopted a resolution to oppose and reject the proposed waste management plant. The resolution encourages the government to pursue environmentally and technically sound and proven approaches of decentralised waste management systems in Goa.
It was further resolved that the panchayat shall forward the resolution to the authorities, and villagers along with the panchayat will take steps to conserve, preserve and protect the basic rights to clean air, water and soil.
