Team Herald
VASCO: The villagers of Sancoale have raised concerns on the rising pollution and garbage in the Bandolem lake, which has led to 75 per cent of the villagers avoiding immersion of lord Ganesh idols in the lake.
The main source of the pollution is the direct discharge of raw sewage in the natural water way (nullah) flowing down from Zuarinagar garbage site and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) area to Shindolim and then to Bandolem lake.
Activist Narayan Naik said that the lake is revered by the people. But now their sentiments have been hurt due to pollution and is threatening its existence.
According to Naik, in June this year, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) inspected the lake and after examining the water samples, it had submitted its report stating that the lake water is polluted.
He said that this year, the villagers refused to immerse their Ganesh idols in the lake and took idols to Shindolim and Cortalim for immersion.
Naik hoped that the Sancoale village panchayat and the government authorities would take note of it and take measures to preserve the lake.