Want authorities to re-think release of treated sewage into river Sal
MARGAO
Benaulim villagers took the platform of the National Panchayat Day on Sunday to demand the construction of the western bypass passing through the village on stilts and to do a re-think on the proposal to release treated sewage waters into the River Sal.
As the special gram sabha was called on Sunday to celebrate the National Panchayat Day and to deliberate on the nine themes and to prioritise the works, gram sabha members highlighted how the village greenery and agriculture will be adversely affected if the road bypass is not built on stilts. Gram sabha members also highlighted how the aquatic life will be severely affected and the fishing communities affected in the event the treated sewage water is released in the river Sal.
Members not only insisted on sustainable development, but insisted on making available clean water by protecting the ground water and the river Sal.
Gram sabha member Royla Fernandes proposed that proposed pipeline being laid to carry treated sewage water in the river Sal should be stopped. “There’s life below water and in the water bodies, and the fish species have right to life. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has notified fish breeding sites. If we discharge treated sewage water in the river, it will affect fish breeding and also affect the fishing communities and their livelihood,” she said, while making a strong case against the ongoing project to discharge the treated sewage water from the Colva STP to the river Sal.
On agriculture, the members highlighted how the western bypass will destroy the wetlands and the agriculture. The wetlands will also protect the people from climatic change and hence nothing should be done to alter the village wetlands because of the western bypass, Royla and others demanded.
On the question of planting tree and protecting the environment, the members demanded that the government should not have a policy that people can cut the trees in Goa and plant the trees in Karnataka. “The panchayats should involve the communities in planting trees on open spaces,” it was pointed out.
Sarpanch Vencila Fernandes and Panchayat Secretary S Velip informed that the special gram sabha has resolved to prioritise to achieve self sufficiency in infrastructure and affordable housing through the government schemes.
