Team Herald
MARGAO: The Velsao-Pale- Issorcim panchayat has filed an official complaint to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) regarding large-scale fish mortality in the bay off Dando-Mollo, under its jurisdiction.
The panchayat has requested the GSPCB to forward the findings of its investigation at the earliest, assuring full cooperation with regards to this environmental disaster. The panchayat has also expressed its desire to be included in future joint inspections, given its role as an elected body representing the village’s
interests.
“It has been alleged with documentary evidence by NGO Goencho Ekvott that there has been widespread fish mortality off the Velsao bay as well as the rivulet (Poie) caused by the discharge of industrial effluent by mega industrial fertiliser plant belonging to Paradeep Phoshpates Limited, from the 24th of May, 2024,” said Sarpanch Maria Diana Gouveia.
“Goencho Ekvott inspected the area and found that there was a large amount of dead fish, mostly those thriving in the rocky area in the bay. Through the media reports we came to know that GSPCB conducted an inspection of the affected areas and collected samples of water, fish etc. Being an elected body representing the village’s interests, we would appreciate it if in future you will include representatives from our panchayat body to conduct joint inspection,” she added.
According to the letter, over the past several years, this industrial plant has repeatedly released industrial effluent into the bay, not only causing large-scale fish mortality but also contaminating the soil and underground water resources like wells and the rivulet. This has resulted in the destruction of the marine environment and endangered the lives of the local population within the panchayat’s jurisdiction.
The letter alleged that Paradeep Phosphates Ltd is the major polluter of the water, land, and atmosphere in the area, as claimed by villagers, some of whom are local fishermen who depend on fishing for their sustenance.
“It must be noted that this rich fishing grounds are not only a source of sustenance for the local community mainly drawn from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Schedule Tribes (ST), but is also an important breeding ground for salt and brackish water marine life. This is well documented by our village Bio-diversity. Furthermore it may be noted that in 4-6 weeks from now, local fishermen will be harvesting solar shrimps in this very bay, which sustains the local economy,” she added.
Expressing concerns about the industrial plant’s reputation for environmental degradation in the villages since 1973, which has led to mass protests and agitations for several months, the panchayat fears that such a scenario could arise again given the plant’s lackadaisical approach to the issue.
