ARAMBOL: Concerns have been raised as garbage littered by the roadside in Arambol, Pernem is going unattended.
Despite the garbage management committee of the Arambol village panchayat threatening to impose a penalty of Rs 25,000 on litterbugs, it has not deterred those dumping in open spaces along the road side.
Foul smell emanating from the stinking nuisance has not only made life miserable for villagers but is proving to be an environmental hazard too.
Being a touristic village, Arambol generates 1.5 tonnes of garbage per day. With no proper management, waste can be seen piled along the roadside, in water bodies and dumped clandestinely in cultivated fields.
The authorities however pointed fingers towards the shacks and hotels, claiming that they are the major violators.
When questioned on the ongoing garage menace in the bordering area of Arambol and Mandrem, former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, “A village like Arambol consists of so many shacks and restaurants. The panchayat collects garbage collection tax from these businesses and households. Somewhere the money may not be sufficient, so the panchayat should increase their margin for these businesses only. If the panchayat had imposed hefty fines on the violators then we wouldn’t have been facing such a situation.”
Parsekar further added that it was the duty of the people and also the panchayat body to keep the environment clean.
