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.

PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in a stringent order has issued a show cause notice to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) warning it to shut down their coal handling operations for failing to adhere to the board’s directives.

GSPCB Member Secretary Levinson Martins has, in an order issued on Wednesday, asked MPT to show cause why the order of consent to operate as issued to it by the GSPCB under the Air Act and the Water Act should not be revoked and as to why legal action as stipulated under the act should not be initiated against the management of the port for carrying out coal handling by violating directives.

PANJIM: The villagers of Santo Estevam have written to Environment Minister Alina Saldanha complaining that there has been illegal cutting of mangroves in the village and that no action has been taken by the ‘statutory authorities’.

In their letter to the environment minister they have sought that the issue not be neglected by her department. “I had made a complaint to authorities the concerned regarding illegal felling of mangrove trees of Zuia, Santo Estevam on July 22... Despite the said complaint, no action has been taken in that regard by the authorities concerned...

PANJIM: A committee of the Goa Medical College consisting of officials formed a month ago, to coordinate the waste disposal in GMC met for the first time on Thursday to decide the effective disposal of bio-medical waste.

Speaking to Herald, Medical Superintendent of Goa Medical College Hospital, Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar said that the committee assessed the situation and requirements for effective bio-medical waste disposal.

PANJIM: In the ongoing garbage menace that is plaguing every corner of the state, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza seem to have put their faith in tech

PANJIM: In an official admission of the gradual devastation of the Goa coastline, the Water Resources Department in its Performance Budget presented before the Goa legislative assembly has admitted that 25 per cent of state’s shoreline is affected with erosion caused by the sea.

The document tabled on the floor of the House Tuesday has mentioned that 25.02 km shoreline is affected with sea erosion.

PANJIM: A minor puncture in the water distribution line, along 18 June road, has caused water contamination for the second time in Panjim city.

Public Works Department (PWD) staff swung into action immediately on Monday morning to plug the damaged pipeline through which dirty water had begun flowing through the distribution lines. According to Superintending Engineer K Shrikant, the water line had been damaged by some agencies while digging the road for underground utility services.