PANJIM: Struggling with pollution caused by untreated effluents from the Pilerne industrial estate since 2006, the villagers of Saipem in Candolim are now complaining of air pollution. The embattled locals have urged the panchayat to undertake an environmental impact assessment ( EIA) study through a central agency like the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute ( NEERI).
In a recent appeal to the Candolim panchayat, the Saipem Villagers Anti-Pollution Front (SVAPF), constituted in 2007, has requested the panchayat to 'take notice of the environmental degradation and pollution caused to Saipem ward and surrounding areas like Orda due to the industrial activity at Pilerne industrial estate'. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had commissioned a private company to study the impact of industrial activity on the Pilerne plateau, as well as in the neighbouring villages. However, SVAPF is opposed to study being done through the Panaji-based Sadekar Enviro Engineers. The villagers have pointed out that the private company is also a consultant to many industries in the Pilerne industrial estate and therefore it will not be objective enough in its study.
The front's core committee members, including Candolim panch member and former sarpanch Ramkrishna Kerkar, businessmen Suraj Morajkar and Assis Cardozo, said that while their drinking water wells were ruined by untreated effluents from the industries on the nearby Pilerne hill, now the air too is polluted. SVAPF member Hyacinth Mascarenhas said, "The air smells of something like turpentine, or burnt plastic. It is the same odour one gets near the factory. If you are in the room, it suffocates you." The villagers have identified two industries as mainly responsible for their woes.
One manufactures paints and coating, while another manufactures spectacle lenses. In 2006, untreated effluents discharged by the industries damaged the cashew plantation of SVAPF member Vishnu Naik, contaminated the pond in the hilly area and killed his cattle. Said Assis Cardozo, "The water has a petrol-like smell and an oily layer floats on the water surface. Because of the rains, the effect is not seen so much now. But the water is not fit for drinking." "This is the tourism belt. Instead of allowing polluting industries, the government should put tourism-related industries so that local youth can get jobs. The present industries hire mostly non-Goans," said Suraj Morajkar.
The SVAPF members said that if the GSPCB does not heed their demand, the 1000-odd residents of Saipem will come out on the streets. The front has also threatened to go to the court with all the evidence they have. (TNN)
So very sad, beautiful Goa is beind destroyed yet again. They is no rule of law, how do we expect these companies to follow the law, they probably paid hafta money to anyone that comes to inspect. Unfortunately too, the ministry that is supposed to regulates these industries hires not based on qualifications but who can pay the bribe for the job. So incompetent and idiots are in charge. Dangerous VOCs are being emitted from these companies. These agents are cancer-causing, unfortunately only after they bioaccumulation in the body does one feels the disastrous effects of these carcinogens. They are very difficult to pinpoint and very difficult to detect as even in parts per million these chemicals are harmful. These industries should never have been allowed to operate in populated areas. Beautiful Cardomin, our home, is a toxic dump. what is next? These is no stopping the ignorant and illiterate leaders of Goa. All the damn jobs are being done by migrants....we are being looted and now slowly killed in our homeland thanks to the greed, corrupt and the illiterate leaders of Goa. Tell me again that the so called ‘liberation’ was a good thing! Our people have to suffer and suffer…..I beg them to elect educated honest Goans whose interest is for the Goan people and OUR motherland! These ministries need to hire Goans who have their heart and interest in their homeland not migrants!!!
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