MARGAO: The irony couldn’t have been starker. For 35 years these fields in Navelim couldn’t be cultivated due to the sewage contamination in Saipem Lake. Now revived the hopes of farmers have been literally dumped with debris from the western bypass construction lying on their fields and in the path of their future
These farmers from Navelim village have taken on the ambitious project of reviving the fields around Saipem lake have demanded that the debris be cleared immediately as it is obstructing them from cultivating the fields.
They had placed this demand before the Navelim panchayat, which in turn agreed to reach out to the authorities concerned like PWD and National Highway Authority (NHAI) to get the debris removed.
It may be recalled that the Panchayat via its Village Development Committee (VDC) is backing the farmers with this project that also has the support of the Don Bosco Agricultural Unit.
The farmers have also raised concern that the debris left behind will damage the condition of the fields and will also block the flow of water during the rains.
This could lead to further consequences like water logging to the area and make their task of reviving cultivation in these fields all the more difficult.
The farmers also want the authorities to stop anyone from dumping material into the fields like mud or garbage.
It is to be noted that until recently, these fields were lying abandoned for 35 years due to the sewage contamination of Saipem lake.
While the Water Resources Department (WRD) is working on ways to ensure that clean water is supplied to the fields, the High Court is monitoring the steps being taken by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and Sewerage Corporation to stop the sewage and waste water discharge into Saipem lake and River Sal.
