Team Herald
Vasco: The alleged burning of industrial and e-waste in the secluded hilly areas of Loutolim has upset locals, who complain that it’s causing health related issues in the village.
In this regard, Sarpanch Filipinha Fernandes stated that she has been receiving verbal complaints of the air pollution in the village. She assured to take stringent steps against the burning of mass industrial waste and that she will file a complaint if needed to ‘ensure the issue is solved completely.’
She also added that the panchayat has issued a notice to one person to clear the waste dumps from his land. In this notice, the person has been instructed to clear the non-biodegradable waste within a time period of 7 days failing which; the panchayat will take necessary steps.
Locals also revealed that there have been several similar cases in the past two years and that they can see the smog in the air in the evening so much so that it causes a burning sensation on the villager’s eyes and causes breathing problems.
Local resident Noel Fernandes recalled past initiatives taken by the locals and panchayats. He pointed out that following a site inspection, the activity had stopped but that the dumping and disposal of waste has resumed again.
He further said that the smoke generated through the burnt waste at the hills comes down with wind current and that the villagers have to suffer.
“I am personally taking medication for the breathing problem I have developed recently after inhaling this smog” he claimed.
Senior citizen, Joan Fernandes from Loutolim said that he noticed huge flames and smoke at night time in the village. The next day, the villagers decide to trace it and discovered that someone is dumping huge quantity of industrial and e- waste. He added that it poses a risk to senior citizen and pregnant women have been already been suffering and demanded that it be stopped immediately before it’s too late.
