SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: The recent order of National Green Tribunal (NGT) with regards to compensation to be paid to the families of four school boarders, who drowned in an abandoned quarry in Tuem, Pernem Taluka and the incident of drowning at Ponda must be treated as a wake-up call for South Goa, as every year in June-July the issue of safety with regard to dangerous creeks and other dangerous reservoirs comes up for discussion in the State.
A small State of Goa reports nearly 200 drowning deaths every year. However, there are hardly any efforts to prevent such deaths by ensuring safety measures.
The World Drowning Prevention Day observed for the first time on July 25, has provided a boost to the GOACAN awareness campaign among the consumers about their rights to safety and to prevent drowning deaths in rivers and other water bodies.
Speaking to Herald Co-ordinator of GOACAN Roland Martins said that rivers today need the attention of the Gram Sabhas to protect and preserve them as givers of life and not places of death due to drowning.
Taking serious note of the matter, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has decided to observe July 25, as “World Water Samadhi Control Day” from this year onwards. In order to avoid such unfortunate incidents, it is expected to try to inculcate in the administrative system what measures can be taken by raising awareness on this occasion.
According to Roland, compared to the number of deaths in road accidents, the number of drowning deaths is 75 per cent higher. The number of such drowning in the world is 3.72 lakh every year. This is 9 per cent of the total accidental deaths. According to the World Health Organisation, 90 per cent of such drowning is in poor or middle-income countries.
Reportedly in May 2010, in a tragic incident, Assistant Parish Priest of Nuvem Church Fr Thomas Fernandes had died after saving two picnickers from drowning at Galgibaba, Canacona. A group of 63 parish youth from Nuvem had gone to Galgibaba for an excursion.
Earlier in 1995, Fr Savio Gama had died trying to save three drowning boys. Fr Savio went for a swim in a river with 25 altar boys when he heard the drowning boys crying out for help, besides there are many other tragic incidents of drowning in rivers and creeks in Goa, in recent times.
Roland stated that the Village Child Committees (VCC) needs to protect innocent children from drowning deaths in the State’s rivers, lakes, and unattended swimming pools.
"As drivers, riders and cyclists are also vulnerable at points where the roads interconnect with water bodies it is important that Road Safety Instructions must cover the danger of drowning in case of accidents," he stated.
GOACAN suggested that training sessions on how to save persons from drowning must be introduced in Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, Colleges, and ITIs. Village Panchayats and Municipal Councils having rivers and waterfalls in their jurisdiction must invest in purchasing life jackets, lifebuoys, ropes, etc. so that lives can be saved.
"The Directorate of Mines and Geology must compile details of all legal and illegal stone quarries in South Goa and upload this data on their website so that this information can be accessed by all stakeholders," he suggested.
“The District Administration must take effective steps to prevent drowning deaths in the non-functional open stone quarries in South Goa. Basic protective fencing must be installed at these sites and boards with the appropriate warning messages and emergency telephone contact numbers must be displayed at these quarries,” said Roland.
