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.