Staff Reporter
Bicholim
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar on Sunday said that increasing pollution and the declining flow of the Bicholim River could have severe consequences on water resources, and could lead to the disruption of water supply to Sattari, Bicholim, and Bardez talukas.
Kerkar urged the government to take immediate action to protect the river and its surrounding ecosystem.
“If urgent steps are not taken to preserve this vital water resource, the very existence of the Bicholim River is under threat,” he said, adding that that the deteriorating condition of the river could lead to long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts in the region.
The Bicholim River originates from Tale Khol in Dodamarg, flowing through Kudchirem, Bicholim, and Math-Pilgaon before meeting the Mandovi River at Sarmanas. However, Kerkar said that at Bandarwada in Bicholim, the river has turned into a virtual gutter due to the deposition of mining rejects and indiscriminate dumping of garbage.
While desilting efforts were previously undertaken along a 14 km stretch from Kudchirem to Bicholim, regions like Dhadhaba and Mathwada were left untouched, contributing to the worsening condition of the river, he added. The Bicholim river is 24km long.
He also said that the Valvanti and Sal rivers, which supply raw water to the Podashe-Sankhali and Assonora treatment plants respectively, are facing threats. “Maharashtra is diverting water from the Sal River’s original course, which could reduce water flow to the Amthane Dam, leading to water shortages.”
The frequent disruption of water supply from the Tilari Dam also exacerbates the water crisis, he said. “Considering these challenges, if the state does not take serious cognisance of the situation, the water supply to Bicholim, Sattari, and Bardez talukas will be severely affected,” Kerkar said.
