State to Centre: Biodiversity parks not feasible in Goa

PANAJI: Government has informed the Centre that setting up of biodiversity parks is not practically feasible in the state in view of the absence of floodplains along the banks of polluted river stretches.
The state in its monthly progress report has maintained that there are 11 polluted river stretches in Goa.
“Flood-prone areas are tackled at Sakhali, Bicholim and Panaji by installing pumping stations and also building protection bunds. No major flood-related issues have been faced by Goa since the last five years,” a senior officer said.
He said the matters pertaining to encroachment along the river banks are being addressed by the district collector and the revenue department from time to time.
“There are no drains, per se, that contribute to river pollution, but natural streams which are mainly dry except during monsoon season,” he said.
The senior officer said that the Water Resources Department is very much concerned about the environmental aspects, flow of the river waters and takes care to keep the rivers and tributaries flowing with sufficient water.
He said the entire sewage received at treatment plant (STP) is treated as per the norms prescribed.
“At present, major towns of Panaji, Margao and Vasco are having proper sewerage systems in place. Work on sewerage systems in Ponda, Mapusa, Calangute, Colva and Porvorim are in progress. Wherever underground sewer network does not exist, conventional method of septic tanks is adopted by individuals and housing complexes,” he said.
“Sludge generated from such systems is being disposed of through government-run STPs,” he said, adding, “Many residential-cum-commercial complexes and hotel establishments have set up their own STPs.”
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) conducts performance evaluations of such STPs on a case-to-case basis to ascertain its compliance to CPCB-prescribed standards, he said.
In villages or hinterland areas, standalone soak pits, septic tanks systems ensure effective treatment of domestic sewage.
The state does not have any common effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Further, as there are no industrial units located within the catchment of any of the polluted river stretches, no ETPs are mandated therein, he said.
The state has declared entire Goa as scheduled area. The Goa Ground Water Regulation Act, 2002 and Rules, 2005 are in force and Ground Water Officers are appointed taluka-wise.