PANJIM: Days after the Goa State Pollution Control issued show cause notices to two industries from Pissurlem Industrial Estate, an expert has warned that the effluents could have already flowed down to mouth of River Mandovi and the consequences could be very dangerous.
Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) last week issued a show cause notice to VIC Industries and Esteem Industries, which are located at the Pissurlem Industrial Estate. GSPCB said that the action was initiated after Speaker Pramod Sawant and a farmer Manohar Parab complained to the board about waste water discharged into a nullah by the industries.
The action also came close on the heels of foam flowing through the famous Harvalem Waterfall, which prompted quick action from the Speaker.
Speaking to Herald, Dr Joe D’Souza, a former scientist said he has predicted the situation a year ago.
“GSPCB is analysing the effluents from the effluent treatment plants and giving clearance saying that it is under permissible limits. But sadly, during my visit, I have seen the industries are clandestinely discharging the effluents through a secret outlet which leads straight into the fields of Manohar Parab resulting in heavy damage to his cultivation.”
D’Souza further said the pollution does not stop there and has further flowed down to River Mandovi. “The pollution has reached the mouth of River Mandovi and I am sure will affect the fish. And if that has happened the pollution would be 10 times worse than the formalin-laced fish,” he added.
Pointing to the foam flowing through Harvalem Waterfall, D’Souza said he had demanded action last year but nothing was done. “Last year I had demanded to test the field soil which is full of detergent varnishing agent but this has not been done and I had predicted this would happen,” he said.
But sadly, he continued, “I am afraid again a clean chit will be given and Goans are going to be victims of this horrible pollution where diseases like cancer, kidney failures, organ failures, skin infections would rule the roost.”
Criticising the functioning of GSPCB, the former scientist said, senior officials of the GSPCB never carry out field visit and depend on lower staff. “Not a single sample from the field of damaged crops has been taken,” he said.
