MARGAO: The findings of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report reveal a concerning state of affairs in Goa's once pristine beach waters, known for their tourist appeal.
Goa's renowned beaches, including Miramar, Calangute, Morjim, Tiracol, Vagator in the North, and Mobor, Baina, Velsao, Colva, and Galjibaga in the South, have sadly fallen victim to high pollution levels and the presence of disease-causing pathogens.
Water samples meticulously collected from these coastal areas have unveiled a disheartening reality. Elevated levels of faecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) have been detected, both serving as clear indicators of the presence of harmful pathogens and bacteria in the seawater.
The CPCB's most recent data paints a disturbing picture, with faecal coliform readings indicating contamination with human or animal faecal matter. Notably, the levels of faecal coliform and BOD far exceeded the permissible limits.
As per the CPCB's guidelines, water quality standards for bathing and water sports demand that faecal coliform levels stay below 100 MPN (the most probable number) per 100 millilitres of water, along with a BOD level of 3 milligrams per litre.
However, the study conducted for the year 2022-23 reveals alarming statistics, with faecal coliform levels ranging from 500 to 1100 per 100 millilitres of water, and BOD levels ranging from 1.9 to 2.9 milligrams per litre, well beyond the allowed limits of one mg/l for Goa's beaches. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels vary between 6 to 8 mg/L.
Concerns were raised about the same with locals who live near the beach calling on the authorities to take greater action.
While in Colva, activists like Judith Almeida blamed the discharge of sewage into water bodies like the Colva creek that leads to the sea. Others like Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Velsao resident and founder of Geoncho Ekvott (GE), criticized the authorities concerned for not doing enough to tackle the matter.
“Given the lax attitude of our government in controlling pollution, the damning report by CPCB about the high concentration of faecal coliform and (BOD) along the shoreline in the Arabian Sea has not come as no surprise to most of the inhabitants of the coast, given that raw untreated sewage is being dumped directly into the sea at Sada, Mormugao by sewage tankers under the cover of darkness,” Rodrigues said.
“Isn't it the duty of the local municipal authorities in conjunction with the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Captain of Ports (CoP), and Goa Marine Police to clamp down on such malpractices being conducted right under its nose by unscrupulous businessmen who are reaping huge financial benefits at the cost of the degradation of our natural Water and Air Quality? We have barely survived a very serious pandemic, and a State like Goa, which by and large is dependent on tourism, can ill afford such malpractices that are bound to tarnish its image as a global tourist destination,” he said.
“Some locals question the local panchayat bodies about the open defecation that is resorted to by the labour class on some specific spots along the shoreline. This criticism is certainly not fair considering that the jurisdiction of the local panchayats is limited to its territorial boundaries of the village, and the onus to keep our world-renowned beaches clean & safe should lie squarely with the Goa Tourism Department,” he added.
GE demanded that all the statutory bodies like the GSPCB, CoP, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), the Goa Tourism Department, among others, should initiate proactive action by seeking clarity from the CPCB about the report and the mitigation measures taken to prevent the further deterioration of the water quality.
Also, they should inform us about the steps taken to restore the confidence of the locals as well as the tourists that Goa’s azure waters of our coastline are safe for swimming, water contact sports, and fishing, failing which the consequences will be disastrous not only to the tourism industry but also affect the lives of the local population.