The Stink & the Sea: Baina’s Sewage Dumping Story – Part 2
BAINA: The Herald expose on enormous volumes of untreated sewage from Katem Baina Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) pouring directly into Arabia Sea has left tourism stakeholders shocked and worried.
The news report sent shock waves among the water sports operators from Baina with many demanding strict action against government officials responsible for this situation.
“It was indeed early morning shocker for me after reading Herald article on this issue. I am very disappointed to see the amount of sewerage being discharged into the sea. The pollution is so much that the black spot is even seen on Google Map application. This is definitely going to affect the tourism activities here,” said Surendra Naik, fly boarding operator having operations at Baina beach.
“Those who conduct business at the beach are definitely going to suffer as the amount of sewage discharged into the sea would affect whole beach and waters with stench likely to increase day by day,” Naik said, adding, “the authorities have to understand that, if they don’t take any measures now then Baina beach would cease to be a tourist spot in future. Also, the amount of damage mankind is doing to nature is irreversible. The authorities have to act fast in the interest of all.”
In fact, Baina beach is blessed generously by nature with golden sand and famous Bat Island located just one kilometre away from this beach. Due to this combination of beautiful beach and island, many water sports operators even commenced their activities on the beach and near the island.
This attracted the tourists and gradually tourist footfall has increased here in last two years with many water sports activities like fly boarding, parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, banana boat ride, bumper ride, water scooter etc is offered to the tourists. Some operators are even organizing scuba and snorkelling near Bat Island. Sadly no one had clue that the waters in which they are running their operations is being polluted with raw sewage.
“Over the years, Baina beach was neglected. But now there is ray of hope with lot of tourism activities happening there. Suddenly we hear about this black patch. The authorities need to act fact on this. Imagine if this act was done by some private person, immediately they would have slapped show cause notice on him besides other legal action.
“Since this act is done by government department, I now wonder whether they would take action or not. We therefore demand that authorities take immediate and drastic step to stop this and book whoever is responsible for this,” local resident and launch owner Simon Pereira said.
Even Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) took serious note on this issue of untreated sewage being dumped into the sea.
TTAG President Savio Messias who is also a resident of Vasco said, “As it is Baina beach had bad name and reputation in past. It took lot of efforts to try and get people back to the beach. This is surely going to affect tourism industry and will dent Goa’s image as well because hundreds of tourists have been enjoying water sports at the beach and at Island every day.”
Jayant Jadhav, former member of GTDC’s Board of Directors while thanking Herald for highlighting the issue claimed that the situation is very alarming and needs immediate action from authorities.
“The beauty and existence of our Baina is at stake. The concerned authorities have to immediately take action and stop the menace. Action should be taken against those responsible for this irresponsible act. I thank Herald for highlighting this issue. Baina is the only Beach for Vasco and Murgaonkars. It was then CM of Goa late Manohar Bhai Parrikar in 2004 acting on Court order cleared the black spot on Goa – the ill famous Red Light on Baina beach. Because of this we the local residents and tourists can come to the Beach,” Jadhav said.
Meanwhile some of the tourists present at the beach were left in complete shock after reading Herald report.
Chetan Goti, an Indian tourist working in Qatar said, “I don’t know how the authorities here tolerate such menace and can allow this to happen. I work in Qatar and have seen how much they are concerned about health and hygiene of people. If this thing would have happened there then the authorities there would have closed down the beach until the water is suitable for human. This is not at all acceptable as authorities here are playing with the lives of the people.”
GPCB should act immediately: GRE
The General Secretary of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE), Olencio Simoes on Saturday reacting to Herald news demanded immediate action against the officials responsible for the pollution of pristine Baina beach.
“In the past, local fishermen of Baina had highlighted the issue to the concerned department, but all their plea fell on deaf ears. This illegal act of polluting sea with untreated sewage continued unabated,” Simoes said.
“We had even opposed the expansion of the new sewerage treatment plant due to untreated waste which was released in the water stream and sea, as this was creating nuisance to the locals thereby damaging the marine ecology of the area. I feel that Goa State Pollution Board has completely failed to discharge its duties,” he said.
According to him, marine pollution has reached a new high under the BJP government. This scourge has not only affected Baina and Mormugao taluka, but entire Goa. Most of the industries never adhere to the pollution norms. We demand that Chairman of GPCB Ganesh B. Shetgaonkar should immediately look into the matter and stop this dumping of raw sewerage in the sea,” Simoes said.
