---------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help CONSUMERS in Goa to be better informed. ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Workshop on River Sal draws up a comprehensive action plan. -------------------------------------------------------------------- "The problems facing River Sal are many and requires that we all work together so that we can help each other sort out the problems and this river can be restored to its former glory, thereby becoming an example of public service and community partnership. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will be pro active with regards the protection of River Sal." said Dr. Simon D'Souza, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board.
Dr. D'Souza was speaking at the inaugural session of the Workshop on the Restoration and Protection of River Sal organised by the Benaulim Environment Trust and the Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) held on Sunday 5th July at the Don Bosco Youth Animation Centre, Benaulim. In his welcome address Mr. Agnelo Fernandes, Chairman of the Benaulim Environment Trust (BET) gave a brief background of the documentation work of the Trust from 2001 with regards the pollution of the River Sal with the assistance of students & scientists from Sweden. Mr. Roland Martins Co-ordinator GOACAN in an overview of the Workshop stressed that involving all stakeholders in the Restoration and Protection of River Sal is crucial. He stated that the Village Panchayats, Margao Municipal Council, the Govt. Depts. NGO's and the educational institutions must take advantage of the opportunities available in the next two years to achieve results. Dr. Manoj Borkar from Biodiversity Research Cell, Carmel College speaking on the River Sal Project Proposal highlighted the need for a comphrensive approach for the restoration of the river. He gave a detailed presentation on the technical and non technical steps that need to be taken to transform the environmental problems affecting the river into opportunities for economic and social development. In the Govt. Agencies panel discussion moderated by Clinton Vaz, Secretary (BET), Mr.Y.B.Tavde Chief Officer Margao Municipal Council described the steps taken till date with regards pollution in the river caused by sewarage discharge from Housing complexes and other establishments. He called for citizens co-operation in making the sewarage system functional and effective. Mr. Arvind S. Salelkar Supdt. Engineer of the Water Resources Department (WRD) explained the works undertaken by the Dept. for protection of the rivers and other water bodies. He also emphasised the importance of ground water protection and rain water harvesting. Mr. Sanjeev Joglekar Asst. Environment Engineer of the Goa State Pollution Control Board explained the role of the Board as an Environment Protection Agency and informed that water samples have already been collected for examination. The over 65 participants at the Workshop in group discussions listed important activities and interventions related to the Restoration & Protection of River Sal. The group reports were presented by Dr. K.G. Hiremath , Cyriaco Barreto, Dr. Sanjay D. Gaikwad, Xavier Cota, Dr. Nandkumar N. Sawant and Rosario D'Costa. The workshop had participation from the Civic and Consumer Forums of Velim, Betalbatim, Raia, Davorlim, Nuvem, Seraulim, Colva, Navelim, Majorda & Benaulim, the Botanical Society of Goa (BSG), Citizens Welfare Committee (CWC) Margao, Navelchea Xetkarieancho Ekvott (NXE), South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG), Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI), Sarpanch of Village Panchayats of Ambelim & Carmona, lecturers & students of Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College & Shree Damodar Higher Secondary School of Science Margao & Agnel Polytechnic Verna. The highlights of the action plan included a follow up on the investigations by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the directives of the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, an Environment Awareness Campaign in November followed by a River Sal Festival, setting up of email discussion forum, Blog and Website, review of existing legislation with the Goa Law Commission, a Campus program for student projects, mobilisation of Gram Sabhas in July, August and October on issues affecting River Sal, steps to ensure protection to the water source at Verna and an effective Waste Management Program along the river bank. A photo exhibition by Siddharth Karapurkar of the Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum highlighting the various aspects affecting the River Sal like contamination, encroachment, waste dumping, choking by weeds etc was on display at the workshop. Mr.Tony Corriea Afonso founder Trustee of the Benaulim Environment Trust delivered the vote of thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mail: [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------
