Team Herald
MARGAO: Farmers and residents in Cuncolim were in shock to find contaminated, foul-smelling water from a nearby canal flowing into their agricultural fields. Suspicions have arisen that effluents from the nearby industrial estate may have been released into the waterway, posing serious risks to the local environment and public health.
Farmers have reported that the contaminated water is also flowing into the rivulet at Simplea-Veroda. Observations from the affected areas reveal that the once-clear water has now turned black, a stark indication of contamination that has left farmers and locals alarmed. Farmers and residents organized protests, demanding an investigation into the pollution. They called for an immediate assessment of the water quality flowing in the irrigation canal.
In September, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had suspended operations of two fish meal plants at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate after effluents were found polluting the Ambaulim River. They were allowed to resume operations around two weeks later, after the plants demonstrated compliance with regulatory standards and improved their waste management practices.
Vincy Vaz said that local farmers have halted their work in the fields due to fears of skin infections. “We have to think twice before stepping in, as the fields have now become mosquito breeding sites because of the contaminated water,” she stated, highlighting the serious health risks posed by the situation. She further urged the relevant government authorities to conduct an urgent inspection of both the canal water and the fields to address the contamination issue as soon as possible.
Alison Fernandes pointed out that the fields are situated a kilometre away from the irrigation canal, expressing surprise at how the contaminated water is reaching them, possibly through damaged chambers or pipelines. He added, “We’ve also noticed that the fish in the fields have disappeared, and there’s a serious risk for cattle and other animals consuming this contaminated water.” Local resident Vishwanath Gaonkar stated that the fields have been severely affected by the industrial effluents. “The future in this situation is very dangerous. Farmers will be unable to cultivate their fields, and even animals cannot graze here,” he warned, highlighting the dire implications for the community’s livelihood.