CUNCOLIM: An ugly sight beckons everybody who visits this cityas the very entrance namely, the bus stand of discarded tender coconut shells amidst the overgrown bushes and wild grass.
Besides being an eyesore, this criminal neglect poses a health hazard besides of course adversely affecting the environament.
The accumulated coconut shells not only provide an ideal breeding ground for vectors transmitting various diseases, but the decomposing organic matter therein, releases harmful methane gas. The slow decomposition of these shells impedes nutrient cycling in the soil jeopardising the vitality of surrounding flora.
Locals while expressing concern over this serious matter lament that the Cuncolim Municipal Council has not set up any mechanism to deal with this menace.
Former Chairperson and present councillor of Cuncolim Municipal Council Laxman Naik said the authorities should take stringent action against this nuisance.
“While for consumers and vendors this may be the easiest way of disposing off the garbage, its repercussions can be severe and I shall raise up this matter with the Chief Officer,” he said.
Interestingly, though there are three persons selling sugar cane juice in the city, the crushed cane waste is disposed off efficiently, thanks to Surendra Dessai a dairy farmer from Culwado.
Surendra takes the crushed cane regularly to feed his 30 cows and 20 buffaloes and hence it cannot be seen dirtying the city.
