Book review: Mazya Govyachea bhumit by Prabhakar Dhage

By John Fernandes,

Mazya Govyachya Bhumit” literary translation of which comes to “In My Goan Land” a book in Marathi language written by Pudhari local daily editor Shri Prabhakar Dhage which is compilation of thoughts pertaining to Goa, which the author presented in different chapter. Through the Book the author present different issues which are crucial and affects Goa.

In his first chapter “The Cuncolim Revolt” the author highlights that the Cuncolim Revolt which took place in 1583 is the first revolt against the European in the History of India. However he says that as the history is written by the rulers, there is no mentioned about the Cuncolim Revolt anywhere in the history of India. The authors says that it is a revolt to preserve the religious and Cultural identity of Goans.

Through the Chapter “problem of Emigration” the author says it result in change in social, Religious, Economic, cultural aspect of Goan Society. When both parents works abroad then it affect the family bond and directly affect the life of children.

In the chapter “Dudhsagar is danger” the author highlights that the existence of the world famous tourist spot of Goa Dudhsagar is in danger as there is a plan from the Karnataka Government to divert the water of Katla and Palona river to kali river which are the tributary of Dudhsagar . If Karnataka Government succeeds in its plan then the Dudhsagar will die once for all. The rampant cutting of trees by timber lobby, builder, railway contractor also endangers the water fall states the author further. The tourist or visitors who visits the Dudhsager are responsible for endangering the life of the Monkeys over their, as the monkey are provided with artificial food by the visitors such as biscuit, banana the monkey loss their habits of searching for food though the area is full of natural food for the monkey, as a result in the tourist off season the monkey dies of starvation.

In the chapter “The Baina Problem has really solved?” After the Baina demolition drive taken up by the then BJP government the prostitution problem did which Baina was facing did not solve but it aggravated as after the demolition, the prostitution concentrated at Baina spread different parts of Goa. The author says that Goa is known for its prostitution in reported by an Italian Voyager way back in 1666.

“Goan Sea getting rough” the author says tourist are attracted to Goa because of the beaches. The tourism department which promotes tourism for 365 days don’t have any concrete plan to protect Goan beaches. The rampant cutting of mangroves, marvels, release of hazardous waste from the industries and hotels, endangers the sea. If it continues the future of Goan beaches and seashore is in danger warns the author.

In the chapter “Police losing their credibility” the author says that the Goan police works as per the whims and fences of their political bosses. Citing the example of lifting Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues from the Assembly the author says due to political blessing the police ready to do any thing. Only those police have political backing are being promoted. The author further says that there is a nexus between real estate developer, politician, police , bureaucrats including those appointed from Delhi and other intellectual to sell Goa to outsiders for their selfish gains.

“ Goan Cherapunji is thirsty of development” This chapter starts with, still rural India is being ruled from the cities. The author terms Netraveli of Sanguem taluka is a Goan Cherapunji but is faces water problem during summer season. The problem of water which these area faces is due of mining that are going on in those area. There is wide scope for developing eco tourism, Nature club, krushi tourism, to generate sustainable development and employment opportunities to the local youth but the government is list bother about the same. The government is not bothered to develop ecotourism in those areas it want to promote mining. The author highlights how the mining companies who are all out to loot Goa make false propaganda that if mining stops people in mining areas will die out of starvation. Proving this propaganda to be false and misleading the author highlight that after the stop of mining in Netravali after its declaring as wild life sanctuary in 1999 the people residing there in are now living therein with more dignity then before when mining was going on.

There are also other chapters which deal with other vital issues affecting Goa and Goans. Those who know Marathi language should read this book.

Thanks to mining Harwale waterfall falls from dream to nightmare

Samir Umarye

BICHOLIM JULY 13: The famous waterfall at Harvalem - Sanquelim in
Bicholim taluka is neglected by the authorities and seem to become a
nightmare for the tourists.

The Harvalem waterfall which is one of the tourist spot in the state
is totally neglected by the government and the authorities. When this
correspondent visited the site there were very few tourists from
Hyderabad and Vasco who were present.

Close inspection at the site showed that the entire area from where
the waterfall could be seen was filled with mud. The steps had become
slippery and dangerous for the people to walk. Some of the benches were
broken and in several places even the fences were falling apart posing
a great danger to the public.

"The waterfall was recently giving red water because of the mining
pollution and even now the entire silt of the mining is deposited at
the bottom of the waterfall." Navelim panch, Pandharinath Gawas told
Herald.

It may be recalled that some years back the entire surrounding of the
waterfall was beautified by the panchayat with some help from the
Mineral Foundation of Goa. There were new benches, flower beds and
hedges that attracted the tourists. But today the entire place has
become a mess.

Speaking on the occasion a tourist complained about the surroundings
of the waterfall. "Some years back when i came here this place was
beautiful but now it has totally lost its beauty."

Mines Deplete Water Supply

Goa is mostly known for being a top tourist destination, but away from the coast mining is the major industry, and it is severely impacting local water. Please click here for the video report by Devidas Gaonkar.

Mining, heavy rains floods Kushavati: Paroda submerged, highway blocked

By John Fernandes

The Quepem Margao Highway at paroda submerged under water since early Saturday morning as the Kushawati flooded thereby disturbing the normal life on this route. The traffic going to Margoa was diverted via Amona - Chandor side. The submergence of the Quepem Margao high way continues at the filing of this report in the late evening of June 26, 2010.

The heavy rain caused damaged to properties at Cacora, Shelvona and Amona. At Shelvona the house of one Subhash Chadra Dessai flooded with water thereby causing damage to the extent of Rs.2000/- while at Cocora the house of one Rosita Dias collapse thereby causing loss to the extent of Rs.35,000/- and at Amona the house of one Julio Dias damaged thereby causing loss to the extend of Rs.8000/-. No damage to life was reported.

It is a regular feature that every year Kushawati River get flooded at Paroda in the month July or in August when the down pour of rain is heavy. This year it flooded in the month of June itself. The Quepem Margao high way submerged at three places at Karale, near Paroda temple and near the Paroda Church. The main sufferer are the school children from Mule , Karale and other places who goes to Immaculate Conception High School which located across Kushawati river.

One Joazinho D’Cunha who is over 60 years of age and ,resides on the bank of Kushawati river informed that in his entire life has not witness Kushawati river flood in the month of June. The Kushawati River used to get flooded either in the month of july or August that to if it rains heavily for consecutive two to three. The present situation shows that some thing wrong has been done to the Kushawati River. Informed said Juazinho futher.

Rama Velip of Colomba informed that the flooding of Kusahwati river is solely not because of heavy rain, but it is mainly due to the siltation of the low lying area of the river and due to release of water from the mining pond of the mines operating in Rivona, colomba, Cavrem, Maina which are the catchment areas/feeding ground of Kushawati river. Rama Velip further informed that when it rains heavily lot of rain water get accumulated into the mining ponds and in order to avoid unwarranted damage to the mining pond/pit the mining companies lets out the water saturated into the mining pit/pond into the Kushawati river or into its tributaries which results in flooding of river even if it rains heavily for one day. The villagers of Colomba has even filed a writ petition in the High Court highlighting these issues informed said Rama further.

'Springs, fields will die if Chiunim Dongor is mined'

Joaquim Fernandes, TNN, May 20, 2010, 03.39am IST. Times of India

PANAJI: The famous Taka-zhor spring and numerous other perennial water
sources of Chiunim Dongor in Rivona, Sanguem, will dry up, destroying
the orchards, agricultural fields and livelihoods of farmers if mining
is allowed on Chiunim Dongor.

This worry haunts the farming families living in and around Chiunim
Dongor. A mining company has sought to renew mining for iron and
manganese ore on the hill where mining has been dormant for the last
35 years.

The company has also prepared a "rapid environment impact assessment
(EIA) and environmental management plan" for TC number 35 of 1951, an
area totalling 79.9350 ha. The farming community of Rivona and even
the village panchayat are strongly opposed to mining on Chiunim
Dongor. In November 2009, the Rivona village panchayat unanimously
resolved that permission for renewal of lease and environmental
clearance should not be given to the proposed mining project on
Chiunim Dongor.

In its letter dated November 2, 2009 to the Goa State Pollution
Control Board (GSPCB), Rivona panchayat countered the EIA for Chiunim
Dongor stating that the claim made by the project report about
"non-existence of perennial water sources in or adjacent to mine area
is baseless". Insisting that there are "more than 20 rich perennial
water bodies" and springs, the panchayat stated "the main paddy fields
of village Rivona, namely Gaiginim, Beleshet and Deo Shetod, plus
several arecanut and coconut orchards are fed by these water sources.
These water bodies and the connected ecosystems and agriculture will
get (sic) irreversible damage and will become extinct if the mine
becomes operational".

The Rivona-based Rushivan Shetkari Sanghatana has also slammed the EIA
study as "full of blatant lies and is totally fabricated to project
our village as a backward area". The organization claims "Rivona VP is
one of the most progressive panchayats with 800 landline connections,
15 broadband connections, 3,000 satellite TV connections, 5 banks, 5
cooperative societies, over 100 self-help groups, a farmers’ club, 20
educational institutions, 3,000 pucca houses and (is) a pride of Goa
due to its agricultural richness, pristine and natural beauty."

It further states that the project site is at the topmost point of the
village and the hill is the source of six big and totally 18-20
springs including Taka-zhor.

"These springs are the only source of potable water for the entire
population in the mining lease area and adjoining areas and also
irrigate a vast span of paddy fields, orchards, plantations spread on
all the four sides of this hill encompassing an area of hundreds of
acres of the main wards of Rivona village and on the other side of the
major portion of Molcornem village," the farmer’s collective states.

The sanghatana fears that if the mines become operational, all the
streams originating from the hills will become extinct within a year
or two, "thus destroying hundreds of acres of paddy fields and
orchards and the people entirely dependent on these fields for their
livelihood will be made to starve".

Farmers also fear that mining will affect several ancient monuments of
archaeological importance in and around the mining lease area,
especially the "Vishnudevali" dating back to the 12 th century which
is in the centre of the lease. Mining will also destroy all the houses
lying in the core area rendering the poor scheduled tribe people
homeless, the sanghatana states.

The farmers are strongly supported by the Goa state agricultural
marketing board, which has urged the GSPCB not to grant any
environmental clearance to mining on Chiunim Dongor. In a November
2009 letter to the GSPCB, the agriculture marketing board wrote,
"Mining activity in Goa has brought down the production of
horticulture and agriculture commodities. Employment generation due to
mining is of temporary nature and destroys infrastructure of
agri-horticulture industry. Natural resources are destroyed in due
course of time. Mining activity leaves behind huge quantities of
rejection, spreading debris in forest areas, pasture lands and
nullahs. Talukas of Bicholim, Sanguem and a part of Quepem are live
examples of this pollution. Besides people are affected on health
grounds."

On April 24, this year, in the middle of Goa’s scorching summer when
water shortage across the state is severe, Takazhor flowed vigorously
as picnickers frolicked under its refreshing waters. The spring gushed
down the valley, home to lush green plantations of coconut, areca nut,
pepper and a sprinkling of banana and jackfruit. On the other side of
the ridge of the hill, other plantations flourish, nourished by more
natural water springs there. All springs run down to nurture the paddy
fields below in Rivona village.

Nature’s bounty of Chiunim Dongor is now under threat, local farmers
fear. If mining is allowed there, based on "false claims" in the EIA
report, then not only their livelihoods will be at risk, the ancient,
natural glory of Chiunim Dongor that has long drawn tourists to its
spring will be destroyed, they say. The EIA report was done by a
consultant appointed by the company interested in the mining lease.
Pandurang Patil, Rivona agriculturist and member of the sanghatana,
lives on the slope of Chiunim Dongor. He points to other "blunders" in
the EIA study prepared "by somebody sitting in Hyderabad without
checking facts in Goa". "They want to project this as a very backward
and poverty-ridden area which their mining will uplift. The EIA study
is done by the project proponent, naturally he does it as per his
convenience. Sadly, the government does not verify the claims made in
the study, leaving us to fend for ourselves," Patil says.

GSPCB chairperson Simon de Souza confirmed that the EIA studies
submitted by mining companies are not verified by the board. "EIA
reports are not for our comment. We simply forward the report to the
MoEF in New Delhi after the public hearings. MoEF is supposed to check
whether claims made in the report are correct or not," De Souza said.
He added that the chief minister had recently made a representation to
the MoEF demanding that the GSPCB be given the right to give its say
on the EIA studies of the mining companies.

Meanwhile, Patil cites the forms I and XIV of the survey numbers on
Chiunim Dongor, states that of the 17.25 lakh square metres area of
the hill, 16.98 lakh square metres is cultivated. "This is 98.45% of
the total area. Why do you want to finish all this agricultural area?"
asks Patil. He says public hearings are a farce.

Mining companies do not allow citizens to get their arguments recorded
by getting paid goons who create chaos during the hearings. Patil
recalls an incident when the South Goa deputy collector Navin Acharya
had to adjourn a hearing citing "threat to limb and life".

Ashish Prabhudessai, Patil’s neighbour and another prominent
agriculturist in Rivona agrees. "Public hearings are very
disorganized, farcical and intimidating to many of our farmers, who
are mostly illiterate," he says.

High up on Chiunim Dongor, Patil points to its steep slopes. Citing
the EIA study figures, he says 52,000 truckloads of rejects will be
dumped on the hill slope in the first year. "This will run down the
steep slope and silt our water bodies, our paddy fields and make our
fields uncultivable," says Patil.

This has already happened in other areas of Rivona. Ashish’s family
owns plantations of coconut, areca nut, cashew, jackfruit, mango and
pepper in Rivona. His 80-acre farm near Pandav Soddo, on the banks of
the river Khushawati is suffering. Says Ashish, "The river has silted
in the last few years due to mining and the water level has dropped by
50%. The quality and quantity of our coconuts has fallen. Also,
monkeys and wild boar displaced by mining in the forests are invading
our farms."

He cites the agricultural woes of Shivsorem, another Rivona hamlet,
which according to him was a “vegetable haven". Says Ashish, "About
five mines have started there now. The yield of the coconut trees has
fallen despite being well fertilized as the trees are "scared" of the
mines. It is just like feeding a goat well but tying her next to the
lion."

Possiblity of sustainable mining

Talks about sustainable mining are in the air. I have been confronted on this matter on various times after mining companies decided to claim their mining practices as 'sustainable mining' with no indicators or definitions. What is sustainable in existing mining practices in Goa?

Ground water continues to be depleted all over the State of Goa in mining belt. So in the case of water mining in Goa is not sustainable.

Agriculture continues to be badly ravaged due to mining and its overburden - silt. It has done away with sustainability of agriculture. So in terms of food security it is totally unsustainable.

Mining continuously plays havoc with Goa's forest. Forest department officials in Goa play role of mining company agents and not only tolerate mining intrusion into the forest, it actively advocates it as was done Goa's Chief Conservator of Forest Shashi Kumar at one of the Wildlife Board meetings in Delhi when he advocated mining in the buffer zone of sanctuaries in Goa. So for forest mining is unsustainable.

These is only one remote possibility of mining becoming sustainable. If it is carried on without machinery. It is machinery that is deployed that is deeply enslaving to human beings as well as ecology. Let human hands work in mines and it would be sustainable. This is so because it is naturally puts limits on the depth of the mine. it will never touch - 40 meters as in Sirgao, Bicholim. Without machines mines will never cause any significant damage to ecology and to water table - the twin concerns of the protesting communities.

I hope political leaders in the Goa Legislative Assembly takes note of this as they have been advocating sustainable mining to the people in mining belt without caring to understand what sustainability means at the first place. Mining without involvement of machinery is sustainable mining.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Mining inside Selaulim Dam catchment area map

Mining in and around Colamb, Sanguem is all pervasive scandal that is far away in the forest. Rulers in Panjim and Delhi are happy that they are far away from it. Now here is a map that pinpoints the detail vicissitudes of happenings in the catchment area of Goa's major water source that provides water to over 50% of its citizens. Tiger pug marks are cited too along with the mining leases here in western ghats. Have a detailed look at what is happening in Goa's hinterland:


View Colamb mining in a larger map

Goa farmers protest, stage one day fast in Quepem

Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) held a day long fast on 21 February 2010 at the Municipal garden, Quepem to protest against the relentless atrocities being committed by the State against the farmers, poorer sections of the society and the future generations. GXE aims to protect and conserve agricultural lands, water resources and forests of Goa, which belong not to us but to our children, from the greed and ignorance of the few.

The event was attended by villagers from 22 villages and towns from Quepem, Sanguem and Salcete talukas. The day long deliberations were focused on local and national consequences of various State initiatives being forced upon unwilling citizens, and the alternatives available with the citizens to force the State to review and revise its anti-development policies, so that the long overdue corrections are immediately adopted. In particular, the villagers expressed anger and frustration at the arbitrary acquisitions of paddy fields, especially tenanted lands, destruction of natural water resources, complete failure of the State to honour its promise to provide 90% of the water from Selaulim Dam for irrigation, increasing illegal mining and the failure of the State to respect The National Policy for Farmers 2007 and The National Forest Policy.

Villagers from Morpilla, Colomba, Rivona and Maina demanded that no new mining leases or renewals be allowed anywhere in the State, since the Chief Minister seems to have forgotten his promise to rid us of illegal mining. Satellite images were displayed to reveal how easy it is for even a schoolboy to locate illegal mining in the State. All the villagers were unanimous in condemning the forest and police departments for openly defending mining in forest lands, and for attacking the concerned citizens who are trying to protect the forests. Villagers affected by a spate of new 4-lane roads in the hinterland, which are being promoted by the State for the exclusive use of mining traffic, pointed out that these roads would destroy a number of pristine villages, forests and water bodies which are not yet affected by mining.

All the villagers were unanimous that the complete failure of the Selaulim Irrigation Project, the apathy shown by the State towards farmers and the failure of beneficial legislations such as the Tenancy Act and the Command Area Development Act are responsible for the dismal state of affairs in the State. Villagers from Paroda, Assolda, Ambaulim, Deao, Chinchinim and St. Jose De Areal shared their experiences and hopes with regards agricultural failure and revival. The proximity between the health of the agricultural sector, the health of the environment, removal of social inequities and the survival of future generations was studied.

The meeting concluded with all expressing renewed commitment towards facing the social and environmental challenges lying ahead. It was resolved that in view of the refusal of the State to heed to reason, GXE shall redouble its efforts and increase the pressure on the State to relent, accept the reality and to embrace the changes that are essential for the survival of Goa and Goans.

Mining- the enemy of agriculture in Goa

Talukas of Sattari, Bicholim, Sanguem and Quepem has been historically witnessed flourishing agriculture with rice as a major multiple crop. This was largely possible due to the availability of abundant water. People worked hard in their fields and got their sustenance and livelihood from the paddy fields.

However all this is rapidly changing with the coming of open cast mining industry aggressively plundering iron ore, manganese and bauxite from Goa. The agricultural fields are one of the prime targets of the mining industry mostly for the reasons of dumping of mining silt and for the ore that lies under the soil where fields are located. The most favorite strategy in place by the mining companies is that of paying of compensation for the loss caused. This is the case in Pissurlem in Sattrai, Sirgao, Mayem and Advalpal in Bicholim, Colamb in Sanguem and so many other places. The ideology of compensation is monetary benefit to the person who has lost his agriculture due to mining. This is however rejected by some bold communities in the agriculture and instead decided to take up cudgels against the mining industry.

The village of Sirgao in Bicholim stands out in this context. The number of people in the village that are challenging the three operating mines in their village – Dempos that is taken over by British corporate Vedanta, Chowgules, and Bandekars. They filed public interest litigation in Goa bench of Bombay High Court in June 2008. The court directed Nagpur based National Environment Engineering Institute (NEERI) to conduct scientific study. NEERI submitted its study in March 2009 confirming that mining activity has caused depletion of ground water in the village causing drying up of village wells and springs. It also confirmed that large amount of deposition of mining silt has taken place in the agricultural fields of the village and paddy cultivation has not been possible. NEERI submitted the plan to rejuvenate the water sources and remove mining silt from paddy fields at the cost of approximately 1.8 lakhs per hectare. The total amount that mining companies would have to pay to NEERI to restore Sirgao’s agriculture and recharge groundwater is Rs. 660.25 lakhs.

What is the story of Sirgao that is proved scientifically is the story of every village under mining in Goa. Water and Food security of Goa is deeply threatened.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Mining again in Selaulim dam reservoir

According to the reports coming in mining activities has resumed inside the Selaulim dam reservoirs in Taluka. Selaulim dam supplies water to large part of South Goa including to the cities of Margao and Vasco. The mine is located in Curdi village. Few years ago Sunita Narayan of CSE Delhi was attacked on this particular mine when she visited there to investigate mining activities along with Selesian priest Philip Neri de Sousa. After complaints to the authorities this mine was stopped. Goa Assembly debates and decision also witnessed protests against mining taking place inside Selaulim dam. But alas, miners in Goa cares a hoot to Goa Assembly as well as to the common people as they are in a hurry to plunder.

Sebastian Rodrigues

More Pictures from Canacona floods...

This man from Dhangar community Thoko Dhaku from Dabel, Canacona regrets that he was not able to save the calf lying dead besides him. He saved number of cattle from getting washed away in flood waters. Another series of Canacona flood pictures from Devidas Gaonkar...

This man Bhiva Gaonkar Kuske, Khotigao is trying to put together shelter for cattle. It was razed down during floods.

Silt deposited inside the space used for sheltering cattle

Cleaning the silt: work in progress in Kuske...

Remains of Banana plantations after the floods...

Villagers from Yedda, Khotigao assessing the damage caused by floods...

Flood water ran over these banana plantations when Talpan river overflew a one month ago.

"Gobar Gas" in waters!

There plants barely survived...

Talpan river has changed the course of its flow via paddy fields. This is one example in Avem, Khotigao. Only month ago it was a green paddy fields..

The spirit of Canacona people: they afford a smile despite the flood tragedy... salute to them.

Food, clothing, shelter washed away of this family in Monem, Khotigao. Lunch in make shift arrangements...

Household utensils shifted out of house as the house found flood water entered inside.

Flood did not care for two wheelers either. Here is a scooter that got split in two parts....

House damaged due to floods in Dabel, Poinguinim...









Sebastian Rodrigues

One month after Canacona floods...

From 2nd to 3rd October 2009 Canacona got submerged into terrific floods. Here are some pictures by Devidas Gaonkar who moved across the Canacona to capture some valuable images on his camera.

Margao-Karwar highway NH 17 was taken over by water...


Coconut trees was washed away, this particular one withstood the floods though it exposed its roots before the ferocious water.

Agriculture was severely affected as the water made its way from the middle of paddy fields.

The solo survivor in the middle of flood washed coconut groves...

Talpan river changed its course via paddy fields in Baddem, Khotigao...

Tamonemol locality in Khotigao was transformed into island by flood waters. Picture shows rescue operations in progress...

This banana plantation washed out in Baddem, Khotigao. One solitary banana tree remains as a memory of what the land was like before the floods...

Plastic barrels and gallons used to as temporary ferry to fetch people from Tamonemol, Khotigao trapped on land surrounded by flood water. Canacona Mamlatdar Vinayak Volvoikar is seen supervising the operations...

Floods did not tolerate concrete roads too. It washed them away. This picture is from Baddem, Khotigao.

Talpapona river overflowing in Baddem. The water level increased by one meter above the river capacity as result it flowed into the agricultural fields on both sides of the river in the villages Kuskem, Yedda, Auli, Baddem, Avem, Monem, Dabel, Amonem, Sishevol, Partagal, Ardhafond, Bhatpal, Sadolxem, Mangan, Talpan and Mutal.


Sebastian Rodrigues

Contaminated Water Supply in Goa

Goa has long been facing a problem of contaminated water, but the response of the authorities is tardy, says FREDDY DIAS in Herald October 29, 2009

Water is essential for life. We need to drink at least 2.5 litres of water daily, which means that every individual consumes nearly 68,475 litres of water in a lifetime. As the population continues to explode and with the rapid pace of industrialisation and development, our requirement for clean and safe drinking water continues to grow.

In Goa, besides the constant interruptions, we have been intermittently facing the problem of contamination of drinking water supply since the last several years. Repeated complaints made to the Water Supply Department (WSD) are either sloppily attended to, or ignored altogether.

The problem of interruption and contamination of drinking water has been plaguing the residents of the state, particularly during the spring and summer months of the year. Not only the cities and towns, but a large number of rural areas too, particularly those along the coastal belt, have been facing the problem of drinking water mixed with dirt, sewage and, in some cases, even worms and tiny insects. Besides, according to recent reports, available drinking water has many more impurities like fluoride, nickel, sulphates, etc. Whatever precautionary measures are claimed to have taken by the authorities concerned, it remains toxic, the effects of which are evident in the form of gastro-intestinal and kidney disorders. The problem is more acute in Goa, where people consume more water because of the tropical weather.

In many rural areas, thousands of people are suffering from skin diseases caused by poor quality of water. Growing industrialisation, mining and widespread use of pesticides are believed to be the reasons behind the deterioration in the quality of water and falling water tables. In fact, in many villages all over the state, drinking contaminated water has become a part of life. Drinking water projects are undertaken at high cost and inaugurated with much fanfare in the state, but if the regular outbreaks of water-borne diseases in the urban areas are any indication, what happens elsewhere can easily be imagined. The drinking water supplied by the government is often found not fit for human consumption, as proved by many cases of typhoid, cholera, dysentery and gastro-enteritis in the state during the last several years.

Doctors at various government as well as private hospitals and clinics say that they have been regularly treating patients for diarrhoea and vomiting. According to doctors, Goa experiences at least two or three bouts of typhoid, cholera and gastro-enteritis every year. There are increasing incidents of jaundice too since the last many years. The most likely cause is infection with the Hepatitis-E virus that is spread from one infected person to another because of contamination of drinking water mixed with sewage water. The disease has of late been spreading in slum areas due to unhygienic conditions there. The answer to this totally preventable outbreak is for the water supply and sanitation agencies to be vigilant. They have to ensure that there is no contamination, repair the leaking pipes, detect early indication of contamination and ensure adequate chlorination of final drinking water.

Tests conducted by some non-government organisations (NGOs) revealed that there was insufficient residual chlorine content to ensure that most disease-causing bacteria in the water will be destroyed. Due to poor maintenance, ignorance on the part of the staff and non-availability of spare parts, the department’s chlorinators are often declared to be out of order. This should be rectified by having adequate spare parts and keeping trained staff.

Besides, in spite of guidelines laid down by the Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA) and the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the procedures adopted by the Water Supply Department to analyse water do not include specific parameters like odour, taste and colour, even as the Act makes such parameters mandatory. In fact, it is pointed out that reports prepared by the WSD fail to outline important parameters like chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total hardness and manganese content as stipulated in the manual of procedures for water treatment under the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.

A senior official of the state Water Supply Department (WSD), while admitting that during weekly collection of water samples from various supply junctions they did find occasional evidence of contamination mostly due to mud content, maintained that necessary precautions are taken to maintain the minimum level of residual chlorine, and that the WSD was chlorinating the state’s drinking water at various supply points. If there was no human meddling like shutdowns, puncturing of pipes, etc, the chlorine content in the water would be enough.

According to the WSD official, the reason for the murkiness of water, particularly during the monsoons, is due to large-scale of washing of mining rejects into the dams/reservoirs, which increases the turbidity level. The high mud content in drinking water cannot be reduced beyond a certain limit, but extra chlorine was being added, and bacteriological tests conducted by the department have certified that the water is safe for human consumption.The Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Simon de Souza said that the board has increased the frequency of water testing to check for traces of heavy minerals, including manganese and sulphates, in the silt washed into the dams/reservoirs, which is caused due to mines operating in the catchment areas of the reservoirs. According to de Souza, massive quantities of mining silt is being washed into the reservoir’s catchment areas, on account of which inspections and examinations of water by the GSPCB will be held every month for the next year, in order to keep a close check on pollution level in drinking water supply in the State.

Notwithstanding the assurance given by the authorities to improve the filtration and treatment process at the Xelpem water treatment plant in view of increased water turbidity for consumers of South Goa district, the problem still persists on and off. Recently, the Navelim Civic & Consumer Forum, in a letter to the WSD authorities, termed the supply of muddy water as ‘irresponsibility on the part of the government and demanded that the authorities should immediately ascertain that the quality of water is fit for human consumption before distributing it to the consumers. Similarly, activists of Civic & Consumer Forums of Colva, Davorlim and Ganv Ghor Rakhan Manch of Orlim have stressed the importance of developing suitable technologies to ensure safe and potable drinking water supply to citizens.

It is pertinent to note here that a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest stresses on water quality assessment and monitoring protocol in order to maintain uniformity in water quality monitoring procedures by all agencies, departments, pollution control boards, etc. “The uniform process of water quality monitoring shall provide for parameters for analyses, analytical techniques, quality assurance and quality control system, besides infrastructure required for laboratories, procedures for data processing, reporting and dissemination,” states the notification. Consumers and consumer organisations can, therefore, complain against the department regarding contaminated water supply to the Consumer Redressal Forum and also to the Special Grievances Cell in the Pollution Control Board. Consumer societies can also arrange for frequently testing of drinking water samples to protect consumer interest.