PONDA: Highly hazardous chemical waste was being released in the Bethora-Ponda main nullah on Wednesday, posing threat to the fish and other marine species in the water body, as well as human population living in the area.
There are a large number of several industrial units on the banks of the nullah between Bethora and Ponda.
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Locals suspected that the chemical waste must have been released into the nullah from one of these units, thus causing water pollution.
The nullah flows at upward stream from Bethora and then to Curti-Khandepar, later to Ponda town, then Kavlem and finally goes downward stream at Undir-Bandora, where it culminates into Zuvari River. The nullah’s water is used for irrigation purposes at all the five aforesaid villages.
According to the people living in the area, this was not the first time such an incident was reported. This was noticed on earlier occasions also. A large quantity of dead fish was found floating in the nullah few years back.
The villagers have also demanded inspection of the local industrial units by Bethora Panchayat, Ponda Municipal Council and Goa State Pollution Control Board to find out the source of pollution and take necessary actions.
