Team Herald
MARGAO: Citizens from Nuvem Constituency intensified their opposition to the proposed waste management plant in the Verna industrial estate, and submitted a memorandum to Waste Management Minister Atanasio Monserrate, urging him to adopt a decentralised approach to waste management across the State.
The citizens voiced their strong disapproval of the 250+20% Integrated Waste Management facility planned for the plateau. “Following your suggestion, we visited the Saligao Waste Management plant. The visit confirmed our worst fears, as we were confronted with several complaints from nearby residents who spoke about the unbearable stench and other persistent issues they have faced for eight years now,” the citizens said in their memorandum.
The citizens highlighted a 2022 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, which stressed the importance of waste management practices such as source-level composting and partially centralised composting facilities in markets and other bulk generator premises. The NGT had stated, “Segregation of the solid waste at source and its earliest processing nearest to the point of generation with defined destination is imperative.” The order also recommended exploring decentralised waste treatment plants and imposing Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) conditions on industries and housing societies.
Referring to the NGT’s recommendations, the delegation pointed out that several villages in South Goa have already demonstrated the effectiveness of decentralised waste management. Villages like Nuvem, Navelim, and Camorlim are managing waste efficiently without causing any odour or discomfort to their residents. “These villages can serve as role models for decentralised waste management systems,” the delegation noted.
Nuvem villager Everson Vales said they emphasised the feasibility and practicality of a decentralised system for Goa. “We have seen that the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has extended support to some villages to establish their waste treatment plants. This model has worked well, and we believe it is more suitable for Goa. We requested the Minister to maintain, fine-tune, and enhance the existing decentralised waste management systems,” said Vales.
In response to their appeal, the Minister reportedly expressed openness to the citizens’ suggestions. Vales mentioned that Monserrate assured the delegation that he would involve all stakeholders, including the villagers, before making any final decision about the waste management plant at Verna.