Team Herald
margao: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) team on Thursday collected samples of the coal-like substance that washed onto the shore recently.
The Central Pollution Control Board had written to the Member Secretary of GSPCB to take up the grievance of the washing ashore of the black substance at Keri Beach and also at Benaulim and has asked them to submit a report within 15 days.
A team of the GSPCB today visited and collected samples of the black substance from Keri as well as Benaulim. They have informed that tests will be conducted and reports will be submitted before the board.
The people from Benaulim have however concluded that the substance is coal that is being handled at MPT Goa. Pele Fernandes, a fisherman said “This is a welcome step by the Government to promptly take steps towards the investigation. However, the Government has to also look at the pleas of the people and the children to stop coal in Goa” he said.
Earlier this week, a black substance had washed ashore the Benaulim beach and a similar substance had washed ashore at Keri Beach which Claude Alvares, Director of Goa Foundation had shown. In Keri, locals claimed that it was coal left behind from a funeral that took place there even as others had raised concerns about pollution levels in the sea.
