Team Herald
MARGAO: Citizens of Arlem, Raia have expressed anger over the issue of illegal garbage dumping on the hillock and demanded strict action against the culprit.
Speaking to reporters, citizens have alleged involvement of one local political leader in creating nuisance in the locality, besides people have also claimed that anti-social activities being witnessed at the site. On Sunday they caught a red handed one involved in dumping the garbage and later setting fire to it.
On the other hand, taking serious note of the incident, Village panchayat Raia on Monday resolved to inspect the site and write to all the concerned departments to initiate action at the earliest.
Local panch member and Deputy Sarpanch Godfray Oswald D’Souza told Herald that the situation at the hillock at Arlem is very serious as garbage is being dumped in large quantities and later set on fire.
“On Sunday morning citizens caught one person red handed with the vehicle while dumping the garbage at the hillock. The person himself admitted that all the garbage is being brought from one open air hall and later set on fire,” he informed.
He also said that this has been going on for the last few years and residents from the locality are complaining of severe impact of the same.
Another resident of the area said that the same site has also become a location for the anti-social activities and police need to take action before the situation goes out of hand.
Xavier Fernandes, former chairman of Raia Biodiversity Managing Committee, who along with few others also rushed at the site, expressed frustration for causing destruction to the biodiversity and the environment in general.
The same issue was also raised at the monthly meeting of the village panchayat Raia on Monday, wherein it was resolved to inspect the site and write to the concerned departments for a strict action.
“Dumping and later setting fire to the garbage and that too at the hillock is a serious issue. Now, the panchayat body has resolved to have an inspection at the site,” said Judas Quadros, Sarpanch.
