TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will carry out a special environmental degradation study of the putrid St Inez creek, after the monsoons, over a period of one year.
The study would explore and establish the sources responsible for degradation of the creek.
The Board has decided to clean the creek under its ‘cleaning of water bodies of Goa’ endeavour, following which study of other water bodies across the state would be taken up to identify the source of pollution and measures for their restoration.
GSPCB has approved St Inez creek for the project, wherein the extent of environmental degradation as a result of anthropogenic (human) activities and natural causes would be identified. Two scientists and five staff from the Board would be undertaking the study.
GSPCB chairman Jose Manual Noronha said that it is an attempt to explore and establish the sources responsible for degradation of the creek.
At present the creek is in an extremely bad condition, full of plastic, litter, fallen trees and silt due to neglect and has become a virtual city sewer. The creek is posing health hazards to city residents, he said.
As part of the study, water sampling at 10 different locations from Taleigao, till ESG complex would be collected. The study will also identify the agricultural activities along the creek along with carrying out the hydrological study of the creek basin.
The Board will also study the socio economic and health impact on the residents living along the creek. The report would be presented to government along with recommendations to restore the creek to its original status, Noronha said.
The State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) under JNNURM has recently approved Rs 30 crore (to the Corporation of the City of Panaji for development of the creek.
CCP had initiated work of cleaning the creek but was of no use as it continued to remain polluted on a daily basis.
