Team Herald
MARGAO: The Dramapur-Sirlim village panchayat has petitioned both the South Goa District Collector and the Environment Minister asking that an inquiry be conducted into the issues surrounding the contaminated River Sal at Jackniband and investigate the foul stench emanating from the water body.
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The panchayat said it has written to the authorities in the interest of the public. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Velim MLA Cruz Silva and Navelim Primary Health Centre with pleas for action to be taken at the earliest.
“There is a very strange foul smell at River Sal in Jackniband, which widely affects the environment, passers-by and our residents of Zamcotto. In view of this, I request you to initiate an inquiry and verify the reason for this occurrence and if there is any waste material like food or sewerage disposed in the river, as this will help curb the menace,” said Sarpanch Avita Periera
It may be recalled that recently locals from various villages had protested against the condition of the River Sal and this issue had been discussed in several Salcete-based gram sabhas as well. Residents who live near Jacknibandh had also raised concerns over the unbearable stench emanating from a Sal tributary that passes through their village. They said the stench started coming after some oily dark substance along with raw sewage surfaced on the water body. The residents further claimed that there has been indiscriminate discharge of raw sewage somewhere upstream and that the water has been stagnant due to the tidal effect sending out the stench.
