MARGAO: Heaps of garbage, predominantly consisting of thermocol boxes used for fish storage, was found floating in the water and littering lush green paddy fields near wholesale fish markets, causing damage to the environment.
The accumulation of this waste created a major mess, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste management and environmental stewardship measures.
Citizens have demanded an immediate action plan to remove these thermocol boxes from the water and initiate strong actions against those responsible for the mess.
On Monday, thermocol boxes were floating in the fields near Seraulim, Margao, and Fatorda. Initially dumped near the wholesale fish market, these boxes became a prominent issue exacerbated by the weather conditions.
Despite clear instructions from the High Court on the maintainence of Goa’s only wholesale fish market, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has failed to implement the order in letter and spirit.
It is pertinent to note that despite the ban on using thermocol, such boxes are still used in the fish market by vendors. The lack of action from the authorities has emboldened fish vendors and traders to persist in using thermocol boxes, leading to widespread environmental littering and disruption.
Reacting to the issue, Savio Coutinho, criticized the SGPDA for its failure to resolve the problem. “The SGPDA is imposing hefty charges on fish traders, so it is their responsibility, along with the contractors, to find a solution to this issue,”stated Coutinho. He criticized the authority for failing to provide a timely solution, resulting in the widespread mess caused by thermocol boxes spreading across fields and waterways during heavy rains. “The SGPDA should have instructed fish traders or those using thermocol boxes to take them back or the authorities themselves should have taken responsibility to manage the thermocol garbage,: said Coutinho.
Milagres Fernandes, a Fatorda resident, expressed anger and demanded the immediate removal of all thermocol boxes floating in the water near the wholesale fish market. “This garbage will enter into the river, resulting in another mess. Authorities should take immediate action against traders using these thermocol boxes,” he demanded.
