EDITORIAL
Our lakes, rivers, creeks and rivulets are gasping for life; they need immediate saving
Pollution of waterbodies has become a major concern in the state. The people of Salcete have been fighting with the government to keep the Sal river clean. In Mormugao taluka, two to three waterbodies have been polluted, including the Vaddem lake. The Mapusa river is facing degradation with no concrete plan to revive it. The waterbody that has been the worst hit lately is the Mala Lake in Panaji where thousands of fish died suddenly.
On Monday, Panaji mayor Rohit Monserrate said that, as per available reports, many houses are releasing sewage into the St Inez creek. Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho also spoke of sewage release into the New Vaddem creek. Here, the authorities themselves are confirming what citizens have been saying for long. Release of sewage and depletion of oxygen may be found to be the reasons at the two above spots.
As usual, government departments and agencies concerned reacted in a well-scripted manner: samples have been collected, findings have been sent to the government and ‘action’ has been assured. Someone or the other will be made a scapegoat, and addressing the issue as part of a long-term solution will be forgotten. This is not the first time there has been a fish kill in Mala lake. It happened 15 years ago, indicating that the lake has been facing problems of pollution and lack of oxygen. It was never attended to professionally and is now paying the price. Historically, it has been a waterbody for fishing. Redevelopment of the lake was proposed around 23 years ago. However, ‘development’ in its vicinity also led to flooding and sewage overflow. It is not just the fish but aquatic life that takes the hit.
Generally, there is also no proper system to monitor the situation, followed by immediate action. There must be a panel of experts who can be engaged to give their expertise on all lakes and other waterbodies so that rejuvenation can be taken up. Goa’s lakes, creeks and rivulets are struggling for oxygen. Audit of these waterbodies for water quality, sustainability and their overall health would do well.
Our elected leaders are good at making statements every year on World Environment Day when they underscore the importance of water conservation, monitoring pollution and ‘preserving them for posterity’. No doubt, the Water Resources Department has initiated measures towards rejuvenating natural lakes. Some people have been irresponsible by littering in waterbodies, which could lead to serious environmental problems in the near future. As health is a related issue, the health of our waterbodies cannot be ignored. For nearly 15 years, the government has been talking of commissioning sewage treatment networks. In a few places this has been done, while in others it has not. The government has to ensure that all residences and commercial establishments in the vicinity of waterbodies are connected to the network.
The Mala lake issue should not be viewed in isolation. The root cause of pollution has to be unearthed and necessary action taken, both short-term and long-term. There has to be proper monitoring of water at regular intervals in collaboration with the local community. Students, being more conscious of environmental degradation, could be taken on board as part of the monitoring system. As the government has identified 39 lakes to be rejuvenated, the focus can be on ecological revival, beautification, community integration and sustainable management.
As the state shows readiness to move ahead towards the goal of Viksit Goa by 2037, natural waterbodies cannot be allowed to remain in such a state.
