http://oheraldo.in/node/9287
Effluents pose threat to Quepem farmers QUEPEM, FEB 1 - Farmers at Ambaulim and Akamol in Quepem taluka face a threat to their livelihood due to the hazardous waste allegedly being released from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate (CIE). Situated on the borders of Village Panchayat of Ambaulim, a number of units at the CIE have been accused of releasing hazardous effluent into the water, air and soil, which is polluting the area and has affected agricultural operation in the locality. Farmers who cultivate paddy at Akamol told Herald that the Industrial units release dangerous effluent into the water, particularly at the time of first rainfall and towards the end of the monsoons. They alleged that polluted water enters into the paddy field, causing the land to be barren. "Large numbers of fish have been dying in the rivulet during the first rain fall for the last three years," said Poro Gaonkar, a paddy farmer from the area. "Due to the hazardous waste released, the seeds which we have cultivated to be transplanted after sprouting have perished. I am afraid to cultivate the paddy field because the entire crop may perish," Mr Gaonkar added. The situation has reached such a level that farmers are slowly giving up cultivating the land, as the land has turned barren. "We used to cultivate chillies by the roadside between Ambaulim and Cuncolim. Now we have given up cultivating crops as nothing grows on the land. Trees on the side of the rivulet are slowly dying," said Owal Gaonkar who also cultivates paddy in the area. Locals informed Herald that industrial unit owners dig pits at the foot of a hill and offload the hazardous liquid waste, before covering the pit with mud. When this correspondent inspected the site, pits were seen at many places and in some areas, solid waste had been dumped on these pits to make them invisible. "We used to cook our food in the paddy field with water from the spring in the field. Now, the spring water tastes sour and so, we are forced to bring water from our homes for consumption," claimed Poro Velip. Some farmers also mentioned that the yield from the cashew plantation has also reduced with each year. "This trend was noticed only when the industrial estate came up in the locality," said a farmer. When contacted, chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council Filonio Vaz confirmed that the municipality had received complaints from locals regarding the pollution from CIE. Based on the complaints, Chief Officer Biju Naik, along with a local NGO recently inspected the area. "I am yet to receive the inspection report," informed Mr Vaz. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
