Dear Friends of Goa, The lack of waste management infrastructure for both hazardous and ordinary waste in Goa is shocking, shameful and, quite simply, inexcusable. Successive Goa governments have yet to take the problem seriously, and it is now reaching crisis proportions even as the tourism department continues to lure unsuspecting tourists for the upcoming season, and the government proceeds with plans to host IFFI, which will only compound the problem. Goa can no longer sustain this assault.
Ever since the wall at a dump in the village of Curca collapsed last month, spewing filth into the village, villagers all over Goa have twigged onto the fact that the municipal garbage being indiscriminately dumped on plateaus, near water sources, and near residential areas is bad for them, and refuse to allow the cities of Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco to continue with this irresponsible practice. Meanwhile, garbage continues to accumulate all over the state, secretly dumped into ravines and along highways in the dead of night. Much of it is hazarous. There is no logical reason for the situation in which we find ourselves, particularly given the low density population of Goa. It is a situation is extremely dangerous to the health of the entire population as well as to visitors. If it continues, Goa will find itself in the position of Surat some years ago. Surat, if you recall, was so dirty that in 1994 it was struck with a Plague epidemic-a disease from the Dark Ages. The vector is usually rat fleas, and as we all know, where there is garbage, there are rats. ____________________________________________________________________________ _________________ HI all, It is really good to see writers/celebrities campaigning tirelessly and being vocal about the serious garbage situation in Goa.Goa is a small state,it can easily concentrate on finding a solution for garbage anagement - instead the Government is concentrating on a second airport, a monorail and other airy fairy projects.Why cant the Govt realise the seriousness of the garbage problem?When there are epidemics,plague and a host of infectious diseases,there will not be anyone left to travel on the monorail or use that first or second airport. I live in South Goa,and right in the vicinity of my children's school is the Sonsoddo garbage dump.The clueless Margao Muncipal Council plan to take up the project after the contract with the Goa Foundation , for treating waste, gets over in November.Untreated this dump is really like a time bomb waiting to explode.I shudder to think of the fate of the school students and residents in the surrounding areas. I dont know what it would take to put pressure on our thick skinnned Government but they need to be attacked from all quarters.The problem is very serious. Melinda Coutinho Powell, Davorlim,South Goa
