MARGAO: In a bid to halt the contamination of agricultural fields of Sao Jose de Areal with putrid waste from the fish-processing units in the Nessai Industrial Estate, the Public Works Department on Thursday commenced work to divert the untreated waste water away from the fields and bring relief to farmers in the area, many of whom had given up cultivation due to the destruction of their crops.
Herald had highlighted the plight of the farmers who were suffering from skin diseases due to the sewage and effluent pollution plaguing water bodies and paddy fields in the area, in its December 13 edition.
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The PWD officials at the site also assured the farmers that the discharge of the stinking waste into their fields will be stopped immediately.
The farmers complained that the untreated waste has not only caused health issues, but has also damaged the food crops they cultivate. The farmers had demanded that the authorities concerned initiate action against the polluters.
PWD officials said that a culvert will be built at the site to prevent the effluents from seeping into the fields. “The pipes laid here will be removed and a culvert will be built. The flow of untreated water and fish waste will be stopped,” said a PWD official.
Dumina Pereira, a farmer, told reporters that they have been cultivating crops and vegetables in the fertile swathes of fields for several decades. “For many of us, our livelihoods have been badly hit due to the discharge of dirty water from the fish processing units located at the Nessai Industrial Estate,” she said.
She added that many of them have suffered skin diseases due to working in the dirty water, and as a result, a few have even stopped farming altogether.
Inacio Pereira, another farmer, demanded that the industries should first be made to dispose of their waste properly and in a sustainable manner.
“We have suffered losses due to the insensitive and irresponsible behavior of these fish processing units; we hope the issue will be resolved now so we can resume cultivation without fear,” he added.
