BAINA: In a clear violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, the local authorities have allowed the Baina beach to become a sewage dumping ground with enormous volume of untreated sewage pouring directly into Arabian Sea every day.
The quantum of pollution has reached to the level where a huge black patch is seen developed right on the shore (Southern Side) and this is clearly visible even in the Google image of the area. Well the Google image speaks volumes as along with the black patch it also shows the source (black colour rivulet) from where this portion of beach is turning into a black zone, even though the area is protected and marked as ecologically sensitive, with corals located just few hundred meters away from the site.
A visit to the site revealed that source of sewage due to which the beach stretch is slowly turning black, is a rivulet which is running parallel to the PWD’s 20 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant at Katem Baina.
Locals have alleged that the new STP which was upgraded and inaugurated in the year 2017 has been releasing raw sewage directly into the sea, though the rivulet, leaving local fishermen community and other locals to suffer on daily basis. In fact, a large number of local fishermen (canoe operators) have been operating in the same area, helplessly amidst foul smell throughout day and night.
“Constant gush of black water flowing into the sea and foul smell emanating from the sea water and in air is everyday story here at Katem Baina. We are poor fishermen so we can’t complaint or else they will ask us to move out from here like the way they demolished our house. Hence, we are helplessl y and quietly facing this sewage menace every day,” a local fisherman told Herald.
These fishermen and other locals also complained about health risk posed to them and their family members due to sewage discharge in their neighbourhood.
“We know that this sea water is contaminated and hence we are taking precautions. For us, working in this sewage polluted area of beach has become a normal routine. But we are worried about our kids as without our knowledge they go to take bath in sea and then fall ill. I hope one day this beach will become like other clean beaches of Goa,” Madar Saab, a local fisherman from Katem Baina said.
Vasco based environmentalist Advocate Savio J F Correia said, “It’s quite disturbing to see sewage effluent discharge at Baina beach. I think it is very serious matter and it appears that the sewage is released from Baina STP. The beach is designated as very eco-sensitive area and such type of activities will threaten the marine ecology of the locality. Immediate action is needed by concerned authorities and criminal action should be initiated against those responsible,” he demanded
Meanwhile it is important to note that after demolition of Baina red-light area, it took over one and half decade to being back lost glory of this beautiful 3.5 kilometres long golden sand beach.
Gradually things are changing and day by day footfall at this beach is on the rise, especially with the introduction of water sports activities here and island trips from this beach. Tourism activity is slowly flourishing here, but if concerned department/authorities fails to act on this release of sewage allegedly though the PWD’s Sewage Treatment Plant, then there are high possibilities that black patch which has apparently formed due to release of untreated sewage, would cover whole beach area, thereby creating major roadblock for tourism activities here and future of Baina beach would under threat.
