Ex-GU microbiology HoD, green activist Joe D’Souza dies

Panaji: In the early hours of Sunday, former head of Goa University’s microbiology department, scientist and environmental activist Joe D’Souza passed away after a prolonged illness. D’Souza has served as an expert on several state bodies such as the Goa State Biodiversity Board.
The former professor was trained as a microbiologist at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and, especially after his retirement, dedicated himself wholeheartedly to environmental activism, dragging state agencies to courts on several occasions.
“D’Souza was a very important scientist on issues related to microbes, nano-microbes, the chemistry of it, the biochemistry of organisms. He loved Goa’s nature and always debated on how to build a good society and systems — right from what led to clams disappearing from River Sal. To get people concerned about the environment he was a regular columnist in newspapers. His approach was to serve the people and society through science,” said former National Institute of Oceanography scientist Dr Arvind Kumar Saran.
The handling of hazardous wastes and legacy dumps, the leniency in granting permissions to constructions all along the North Goa beach belt, the harmful effects of using formalin to preserve fish were only some of the subjects he passionately felt for.
“He was always so very disturbed and concerned about the environmental degradation of Goa. A fearless and outspoken warrior for social causes,” said advocate Aires Rodrigues.
D’Souza was among the first to point out the lack of research at the state university studying the importance of the Mhadei for the ecology and environment downstream.
Even as he was battling multiple health issues, D’Souza had challenged the construction of the captain of ports department building in the Mandovi in Panaji, first in the high court and later before the National Green Tribunal.
“There was never any time when the intensity of his passion for Goa’s environment dimmed. He was one of the few who used his scientific upbringing to explain things to the public,” Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation, said in a social media post.