PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar plans to shut down all the mines falling in the catchment area of Selaulim water reservoir, HERALD has learnt. The Government has already identified 19 such mines which are polluting the water of the Selaulim reservoir.

Ramesh Gawas, one of the social activists leading the fight against illegal mining, points out that 55 per cent of the Goan population drinks water coming from the Selaulim water treatment plant and majority of those who drink this water live in Salcete and Mormugao Talukas, with 32 per cent of this polluted water being consumed in Salcete alone. Talking to HCN, Gawas said even the Parrikar Government’s reply in the recent Assembly Session admitted that manganese content in Selaulim water is 3.5 mg, which is three times more than the permissible limit.

Goa government has finally resolved to shut down the mines pouring manganese and iron ore in the Selaulim reservoir, the source of potable water for 55 per cent of the state population.

The state will have to shut down the mines operating within the river zone of Selaulim dam, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters yesterday. "We have to stop all mines pouring in material (iron ore and manganese) in Selaulim reservoir," Parrikar said.

PANAJI: Environmentalists today organised a protest walk here demanding cancellation of mining leases operating within 10 kms of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Goa.

PANJIM: At a time when every single drop of water has been termed as precious by the state government, which aims to provide 24x7 supply, up to 12,000 cubic meters (or 12 MLD) of water treated at the sewerage plant at Tonca is flushed out into River Mandovi every single day.

The water is so clean that just one tertiary unit more of treatment at the plant would make it fit to drink by even Singapore standards. But as it is, the water is waiting to be used at least for gardening, washing and other such purposes. Except that the authorities prefer to, literally, just flush it down the river.