Govt agencies to suggest measures in tackling polluted Colva Creek

Govt agencies to suggest measures in tackling polluted Colva Creek
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MAY 26
Various government agencies will meet on Thursday at Colva to put their act together and implement measures to stop the environmental degradation of the Colva creek by the discharge of sewage waters in the storm water drains.
Two days after the Colva panchayat sought extension of time to prepare an action plan to tackle the menace, a meeting of all government agencies has been called to suggest ways and means to tackle the polluted creek, but suggest long term measures to stop discharge of sewage and kitchen waste in the water bodies.
Representatives of the Health, Tourism, Water Resources, Pollution Control Board, besides Sewerage Corporation of Goa and the local Colva village Panchayat are expected to deliberate on the alarming situation in this tourist village.
The Goa Pollution Control Board had recently asked the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration and department of Tourism, requesting them to initiate necessary action from their end against all hotels, restaurants, eateries, shacks, residential apartments and other commercial establishments that are causing a health hazard so as to avoid the outbreak of a potential epidemic in Colva village.
The Pollution Control Board had warned that the situation pertaining to the indiscriminate discharge of sewage by various commercial establishments in Colva warrants immediate concerted action of all concerned government department. The Board had called for appropriate action by the government agencies to ensure that the prevailing situation in Colva is rectified so as to safeguard the environment and public health at large in the village.
Incidentally, the Goa Sewerage Corporation, which has been invited for tomorrow’s meeting, has expressed its willingness to prepare a scheme for Colva village. However, the question of funding the sewerage scheme may create hurdles as necessary funds for execution of sewerage scheme needs to be placed by the government with the Corporation to take up any project.