BICHOLIM: Notwithstanding the public awareness being spread for saving Walvanti River in Sanquelim, an environmentalist from Bicholim has sounded a warning bell demanding preservation of Bicholim River.
Bicholim River originates from Talekhol in Maharastra and later meets at Sarmanas River covering a distance of about 22 kilometres. The environmentalist says that this river is heavily polluted and there is a need to form a committee to save this river.
“There is a report that Bicholim River is polluted right from Kudchirem to Bicholim and there are several factors for this. The condition of the river is very critical and we wonder whether it is really a river or a small nallaha,” environmentalist Ramesh Gawas says.
He feels that the main reason for having less water is the stopping of sources and springs that flow into the river. “There was a main water sources in Lamgao lake that met the river, but now if we see this source has completely dried up,” Gawas said.
He said that as there is less water, there are many adverse effects on the marine life. “There are many septic tanks that directly discharge sewage into the river; many people wash their clothes and at some places, there are vehicle washing centres that let their dirty water into the river. Because of all these reasons, the water of Bicholim River is polluted,” Gawas said.
He fears that the Bicholim River may not survive for long. “I did my best to save Bicholim River from 2007 to 2010 when there were plans to start a new mine at the banks of this river at Vathadev. I even approached the High Court and was able to stall the plans of the mining company and saved the river. Now the question arises whether the WRD will save this river or not, whether the Speaker and the Bicholim MLA would do something to save this river,” Gawas said.
He said that if this river is not saved, then, the people of Bicholim would face severe problems.
He said that he has suggested making optimum use of the river in Regional Plan 2021, but feels that no one is interested in saving the river or making use of it.
