Team Herald
MARGAO: On the eve of World Environment Day, GOACAN has called a study on the impact of air pollution and fire incidents particularly in view of the Sonsoddo fire that has spread smoke and gas not only in parts of Margao but also in the neighbouring villages of Raia and Curtorim.
In a letter addressed to Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary of Goa State Biodiversity Board, GOACAN has recommended that relevant directions be given to the Biodiversity Management Committees of village panchayats and municipal councils on what needs to be done in the affected area.
Besides it has asked that an action plan be prepared to address the impact of fire incidents as there are an increasing number of fire incidents at garbage sites, forest areas, cashew plantations and paddy fields. It has also recommended that capacity building programmes be organised with assistance from Environment Department and Goa State Pollution Control Board so that Biodiversity Management Committee members can be effective in preventing and reducing pollution thereby protecting biodiversity of Goa.
