Controlling tar balls menace
Thanks to O Heraldo for highlighting the various acts of pollution and that happen each day, and harm our social and economic well-being. Ranging from sewage polluting rivers and ponds, groundwater extracted as though there is no tomorrow, forest fires, and tar balls on our beaches, the pressures on this beautiful but small state are high.
Reading your recent article ‘Tar balls back to haunt visitors at Pernem, Bardez coast’ (O Heraldo 18/05/2023) made me recall a conversation with a shack owner in Candolim earlier this year. Discussing my concerns about the water quality there after a swim, fundamental to his livelihood and those of so many others, he pointed to the ships. His view was that discharges of foul waste of various kinds from ships as they made their way to the harbour was the key problem. These were not only oil but other discharges as well. I recall speaking to other shack owners on other parts of the coast and again tar balls were a major concern.
This shack owner’s views seem to be correct at least in so far as tar balls go. In 2014, the Parrikar government established a committee to address this problem and develop a plan. This included kicking off NIO fingerprinting analysis to establish the sources. The NIO’s research https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X19305466 published in 2019 points to oil spills from ships as being a major source of pollution. Some of them may not be berthing in Goa but some will do.
What we now need is action by the shipping industry and other maritime crafts such as the gambling boats – a clean shipping charter can put an end to this pollution. Surely these businesses can take some responsibility for their action?
The Goa Government can help drive this action, so important for a state where the livelihood and well-being of so many is dependent on clean seas. Of course, the Director General Shipping in Mumbai also has a key role to play. But the Mormugao Port Trust plus the Goa State Pollution Board can tighten up enforcement and ensure that those contributing to the problem are paying the full costs of not only the clean-up, but the environmental harm from pollution and the economic losses to tourism and fishing on this coastline. Best of course if we can have concerted voluntary action by those who own the ships and boats. I wonder if anyone will step forward to lead this change.
Maya de Souza, Bambolim
Package for affected Panjim shopkeepers
It must be said that the business community in Panjim has been grossly affected by the digging of roads as part of the ongoing ‘Smart City’ works. The roads leading to their shops and business premises were dug and have remained in that state for several weeks. Now the shopkeepers are grappling with the looming fear of floods hitting the capital city. It has become very difficult for the shoppers to gain access to most of the shops as a result of the dug up roads and open drains.
Citizens could be putting their lives at risk when they go out shopping. As a result of this the business activities have plummeted drastically with no signs of improvement in the near future. In some instances this could even lead to shopkeepers taking the extreme step of closing down their business for good.
The shopkeepers are silently suffering all this loss for no fault of theirs, while they pay all the dues and taxes to the government with respect to their business activities. It would be in the fitness of things for the government to come to the rescue of all those shopkeepers who have been affected due to the activities related to the ‘Smart City’ project. The government needs to announce a relief package to help the business community, especially the small-time traders. The government could also waive off rent, taxes and all other dues of the affected shopkeepers until such time that things return to normalcy in the city.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Water census, a good step
In India, cities and towns constitute a meagre three percent of water bodies like lakes, ponds and tanks. Many water bodies have dried up even in rural India due to factors like siltation and drying, though encroachments of water bodies are more common in urban areas. Massive urbanisation has resulted in untreated sewage, solid waste and industrial emissions polluting all types of water bodies to a considerable extent. Water should be utilised prudently, and through scientific methods. Lakes –manmade and artificial, as well as dams have helped, but other ways to keep water clean by taking care of siltation, too, yield good results. There is also the concern about depleting groundwater due to cultivation of agricultural crops.
The Jal Shakti ministry of the govt of India has done a survey that has helped better understanding of keeping water clean and potable while preventing water bodies for being destroyed. It has enumerated a thorough database of more than 2.4 million water bodies in the country. Keeping in mind the socio-economic and ecological importance of water bodies, the ministry’s exhaustive study is indeed laudable. Since the ownership of the water bodies are studied along with their size, purpose, status and condition, this will act as a model for further analysis. Along with the “Jal Jan Abhiyan”, put in place by the prime minister in April 2023, the census should act as a game changer with regards to water conservation in India.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Intra party democracy?
No doubt the century old Congress Party was able to rise like a phoenix in Karnataka State, trouncing the BJP. Though they struck gold in Karnataka, the local leaders tussle has taken away the sheen off this victory. With their thumping majority, it should have been an easy pick of their Chief Minister. But, the Congress Party, who preach that they run their party in a democratic way and go by the majority opinion of the newly elected MLAs, the situation in Karnataka is going the usual way. There seems to be a tussle between Siddaramiah & DK Shivakumar for the CM’s post and the Congress President, who claims to have the power to select the Chief Minister, is still waiting for the green signal from Gandhi family. This goes to prove that Mallikarjun Kharge is just a proxy president.
Incidentally, trouble is at its peak in Rajasthan too and on hopes similar situation doesn’t happen in Karnataka too. If such a situation continues in Karnataka, it is anybody’s guess what will be the fate of the United Opposition as it takes on the BJP in 2024. Every opposition leader would aspire to be the Prime Minister and finally may end up by designating a minimum of 10 Dy PMs at the Centre.
N Mahadevan, Chennai
