Dilemma of unknown garbage

The Karapur-Sarvan panchayat is under dilemma over the suspense created by some unknown persons who are constantly dumping garbage in the panchayat area. The panchayat is now contemplating to file a police complaint against the perpetrators.

It may be stated that Karapur-Sarvan panchayat is a link between Bicholim and Sanquelim and the five-km stretch links the two municipalities. This stretch is slowly becoming a dumping ground for many.

The people from the area feel that it is the work of the people from municipal area but they have not been able to trace the culprits. “We feel that it is the work of the people from either Bicholim or Sanquelim municipal areas”, claims Karapur-Sarvan panchayat sarpanch, Ramesh Sawant.

Even as the residents suspect the hand of outsiders they have not yet caught anyone dumping this garbage. The garbage,  dumped at several places along the road-side at Kulan-Karapur, consists of mostly coconut shells, plastic and such material.“We tried to keep vigil in the area on several occasions but were not able to find out exactly who is behind this activity,” said Ramesh adding “there are many vendors who sell coconut-milk in Bicholim and Sanquelim municipal area and it would be the work of the same vendors. We are now contemplating to file a police complaint against the unknown so that some action could be taken against the persons.”

The residents feel that this entire stretch being isolated from the main city has become a safe haven for the people to dump this garbage. “There are very few houses in the area and most of the stretch is isolated. This gives an advantage for the people to throw the garbage there”, said Anand Narvekar from Karapur.

They also feel that if municipality is allowing the vendors to sell their goods by the road side by just collecting sopo they should also handle the waste generated by them.

“There is no doubt that all this waste comes from the municipality. Panchayat has no mechanism to handle the garbage problem due to lack of funds. If this continues Kulan would be like a hell on the Bicholim-Sanquelim road”, said Tukaram Sawant.