08 Apr 2010  |   12:00am IST

Coastal VPs continue to lag behind in tackling garbage woes

PANJIM, APRIL 7 It seems many Coastal Village Panchayats (VCP) have not made any steady progress in dealing with garbage problem in their respective jurisdictions. The inspection report submitted by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to the

PANJIM, APRIL 7
It seems many Coastal Village Panchayats (VCP) have not made any steady progress in dealing with garbage problem in their respective jurisdictions.
The inspection report submitted by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to the High Court on Wednesday in suo motto writ petition on garbage has revealed that some panchayats are still lagging behind in collection and disposal of garbage and not yet fully activated compositing facilities while some have not yet build composting units.
The High Court had directed GSPCB to verify by way of an inspection as to whether CVPs have functioning compositing units. But it found that while some have constructed compositing units many are yet to make them functional. It was also found that many
CVP s have not maintained proper records as regards to collection of garbage, mode of disposal of plastic waste and name of re-cycler. For instance, Arambol village which receive a lot of tourists inflow, is yet to construct composting units. The bio-degradable waste is not collected and no records are maintained about mode of disposal of plastic waste.
The inspection team of GSPCB have made startling discoveries about ways of disposal of bio-degradable waste adopted by some CVPs. In Cansualim Village Panchayat it noted that no labour has been employed for collection of bio-degradable waste and residents residing close-by use composting unit for disposing their waste.
Whereas Chicalim Village Panchayat which has a population of 9000 has serious problems at hand. It has started collection of waste its wards but has not build composting units. And though it has claimed to have employed six-seven labourers for collection of garbage, it failed to produce master roll.
It was also found that this panchayat dispose of its garbage at Sada in the jurisdiction of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC). The GSPCB in its report has remarked that panchayat will have to stop the disposal of waste at MMC as area is not sufficient for treatment and disposal of waste generated within the jurisdiction of MMC.
In most of the cases composting units are yet to be made functional but on the positive side many CVPs have though started collection of plastic.
In some cases it was also found that waste is not segregated and just dumped at the site despite directions issued by GSPCB. Also, no registers are maintained and as a result, it was not possible to assess quantum of garbage collected and disposed off.
The GSPCB inspected facilities of VPs at Calangute, Betalbatim, Majorda, Cavelossim, Cansaulim, Chicalim, Chilcolna, Sancoale, Arambol, Morjim, etc