Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has pulled up Tourism Department for causing environmental pollution along the entire beach stretch, for failing to effectively execute the beach cleaning drive. Despite two contractors hired to clean the beaches, the board observed that garbage remains uncleared from the beach belts, leading to environmental degradation.
Following a series of complaints, the Board in July and August conducted an extensive drive along the beaches to study the cleaning status. During the inspection, it was found that non-implementation of effective methods had caused environmental pollution.
“The observation and conclusion contained in the report of inspection, indicated that immediate measures are required to be initiated in order to ensure that pollution and degradation of the environment at the beach stretches is stopped,” GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told Herald.
The Board has issued a show cause notice to the Tourism Department and the beach cleaning contractors – Ram Cleaners and Developers Pvt Ltd and Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd – under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. The board has sought a detailed compliance report within seven days, failing which legal action would be initiated.
In a series of directions issued to the department, the Board has ordered clearing of garbage piled along the beaches on an immediate basis, and has also said that no waste should be buried or burnt along the beaches.
Noronha said that during the inspection it was noted that Tourism Department failed to provide the contractors with space for management of wet waste on almost all beaches, despite clear directions from the board and authorization under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
“We have now directed Tourism Department to regularly monitor the collection of garbage and ensure that labourers for collection are continuously present on beaches,” he said.
Proper bins, dustbins should be put up along the beach stretch and the contractor has to ensure that the waste collected is properly segregated before transporting the same for scientific disposal.
