MARGAO: The locals from various villages of Nuvem Constituency and surrounding villages have demanded that the State government scrap the proposed 250 TDP plus 20 per cent integrated waste management plant that the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) is planning to construct on the Verna-Loutolim industrial area.
In this regard, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Waste Management Minister, Managing Director (MD) of GWMC and Director of Department of Science, Technology and Environment.
While the locals held a meeting with the GWMC Managing Director Levinson Martins, they were not satisfied with the responses given and now plan on meeting Waste Management Minister Atanasio Monserrate again to put forth their grievances.
“We have been following up with the government right from 2020 not to set up the plant on the Loutolim-Verna Plateau but in vain. As this centralised model of garbage management will destroy our water aquifers leading to groundwater pollution as also River Sal and River Zuari. We will not give up what may come,” Ramiro Mascarenhas said, one of the main complainants.
He further pointed out that the land which has been handed over to the GWMC for setting up of the plant is disputed and that the matter is still in the courts.
“The proposed integrated Solid Waste Management (SWM) plant catering to the waste generated in Mormugao and some parts of Salcete Taluka will only further burden the already overburdened and fragile eco-sensitive plateau on which it is being proposed,” read the memorandum signed by the locals.
They added that not only do they support decentralisation of garbage management, which is in accordance with the law and court directives, but their village panchayats also presently take care of the waste generated from their respective villages.
“The proposed SWM plant is highly detrimental to the eco-sensitive zone which is a catchment area that feeds 32 springs that flows through our six villages which are situated at the base of the plateau, which in turn feed the Ambulor Lake and River Sal and also River Zuari. The SWM plant poses an irreversible impact on the ecology and will contaminate the wells, ponds and water bodies which are a source of water for agriculture, pisciculture and consumption,” said the locals.
They further added that in addition to affecting the water table and groundwater reserves in the incinerator, the subsequent leachate and strewn garbage would further cause air and soil pollution in the Verna-Loutolim area.
The locals also pointed out how the various springs in the villages that have medicinal value, including the famous Kesarval Spring will get destroyed if the plant comes up.
“We fail to understand how the Government of Goa can demand or accept funds from the Central government for the cleaning of River Sal when it plans to contaminate and destroy its very source with the integrated SWM plant on the Verna-Loutolim Plateau,” the locals added.
