Show-cause notice to Calangute VP likely TNN Jul 30, 2011, 03.15am IST PANAJI: Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) will shortly issue a show-cause notice to Calangute village panchayat regarding the use of a site on the Saligao plateau for disposing garbage after a complaint about its improper use from villagers.
The panchayat has been using the site for more than two decades, and in July 2003, the high court of Bombay<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Mumbai> at Goa had allowed its use on a temporary basis in connection with a petition filed by Goa Foundation and others. "We are issuing a show- cause notice under municipal solid waste (MSW) rules to the panchayat," said GSPCB chairman Simon D'Souza on Friday. The panchayat body will be asked to explain in seven days why the authorization granted to it by the board to use the site should not be revoked. Saligao resident Dean D'Cruz had complained to the board earlier this month regarding the indiscriminate dumping of waste and non-compliance of directives of Bombay high court while allowing the use of the site. The board officials had inspected the garbage site on July 7, 2011, to assess its status and trace the source of pollution on the plateau. Analysis of water samples from the Salmona spring and nearby wells in Saligao revealed the presence of high levels of E coli and leachates. Villagers have been complaining that they have been suffering the effects of pollution for several years. The court had directed the panchayat to appoint a full time manager at the site, ensure segregation of wet and dry waste and composting of the wet waste. But villagers have alleged that the panchayat has not taken recourse to scientific management of the site, resulting in pollution of water bodies, increase in scavengers like dogs, kites and stench from the site. Under the MSW rules, self-governing bodies have to follow certain guidelines to dispose waste in a scientific manner. Calangute panchayat sources claim that they are in talks with a Pune agency to set up a facility to segregate and treat waste. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-30/goa/29832638_1_panchayat-gspcb-saligao FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 (after 2pm) #784 Nr Lourdes Convent, Saligao 403511 Goa India http://fn.goa-india.org http://goa1556.goa-india.org -- Saligao-Net is at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe email [email protected]
