Team Herald
MARGAO: In response to the recent surge in cholera cases in and around the Mobor jetty, the Cavelossim village panchayat has called for an emergency meeting at the South Goa District Collector’s office to discuss the outbreak. The panchayat had recently organised an extraordinary gram sabha to address the issue and determine a course of action.
Bonaventure Vaz, convenor of the Village Development Committee (VDC), noted that the village has been in the news for negative reasons over the past two months, and pushed for action to halt activities harmful to the community. VDC member Viano Rodrigues shared his personal experience of being affected by the foul smell and fish water dripping from trucks traveling from the Mobor landing to the fish factory in Cuncolim. Another local resident, James Baretto, highlighted tourists’ concerns about the outbreak and its serious implications for the tourism industry.
On Wednesday, the panchayat sent an official letter to the South Goa District Collector, addressing the issue of fish landing and allied activities. The letter detailed that an emergency meeting was held on September 24, involving members of the VD, Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), Disaster Management Committee, and Panchayat members to discuss the increase in acute gastroenteritis (cholera) cases at Mobor-Cavelossim.
The letter emphasised the serious concerns raised by attendees regarding the impact on their livelihoods, as many villagers depend on the tourism industry. The members unanimously resolved to request the District Collector’s office, under the Disaster Management Act, to halt activities that have led to the continuous increase in cholera cases within the jurisdiction of Village Panchayat Cavelossim.
The panchayat has urged the District Collector to take necessary action, with copies of the letter also sent to the Salcete Deputy Collector and Mamlatdar.