Bicholim: Once known for its grandeur and a vital water source, Bicholim River today is a semblance of its former glory.
Anthropogenic activities have severely affected the river, said locals, making it one of the most polluted water bodies in the state.
Its once wide width and strong flow have weakened to a large extent at certain points, exposing its riverbed.
“We used to swim across the river. But now one can just take a walk across at Vathadev as the flow is shallow. The river’s flow has significantly reduced since the 1970s and 80s,” said Devidas Ladu Umarye from Vathadev village.
Mahesh Yende, whose father was an activist, said that during the Portuguese era, freedom fighters crossed the Goa-Maharashtra border at Matalekond, where the river was broader and had a weak flow. Today, the riverbed lies exposed at Matalekond, he said.
“At Matalekond-Naigini, the river has almost lost its flow. This pollution is man-made. People are facing water shortages. When taps run dry, they cannot rely on the river water,” said local Mahadev K Govekar.
He also said that a similar situation has been witnessed at Bandar-Vhavti.
“The river here is polluted beyond consumption, except for irrigation purposes,” said Govekar.
The Bicholim River originates at Aai-Vazari near the village of Kitat in Maharashtra and has been identified as one of Goa’s most polluted rivers by studies.
The 27-km-long river flows through Kudchire, Matalekond-Naigini, Vathadev, Bagwada, and Pilgao before merging with the Mandovi near Sarmanas.
Studies found that anthropogenic activities along its banks are responsible for polluting the water body, with garbage and even animal carcasses being dumped in the river.
Some people also dispose of waste materials, including used sanitary items and clothing, further increasing pollution levels, it has been found. Another local, Ratnakar Govenkar said that the bandhara at Bandar is in a dilapidated state.
“Despite repeated demands to the sarpanch and the local MLA, no action has been taken to repair it,” he said.
Govenkar also said that during the monsoon, logs and even animal skeletons are carried downstream, indicating the villages upstream contribute to the river’s degradation.
In attempts to stop further pollution, residents flagged the indiscriminate waste disposal near the Bicholim bridge.
“People throw nirmalya, garbage, and other waste into the river, with some even dumping trash at night and fleeing. Authorities must act against these miscreants,” said Cajetan Vaz, Rajendra Savaikar, and Suryakant Dessai, emphasising that there is a need for imposing fines to curb the pollution.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said that studies have identified Bicholim River as the most polluted in Goa.
“The government must take urgent measures to control the rising pollution in the state’s rivers,” he said.
