Officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the health department conducted an inspection at Karmaliwada in Cacora on Saturday, a day after dead fish were discovered floating in a local water body. The GSPCB collected water samples from the nullah and the adjacent garbage treatment plant to identify the source of contamination.
Locals Raise Alarm Over Wetland Threat
The incident has sparked concern among residents, who fear that Nanda lake—a designated wetland—could face serious pollution if urgent corrective measures are not taken to clean the nullah that flows into the lake. Former Curchorem-Cacora councillor Pushkal Sawant, who accompanied the officials, noted that the smell from a water tank inside the garbage treatment plant matched the foul odor from the nullah. “We strongly suspect that the water from this tank finds its way into the nullah which leads to the Nanda lake. They should immediately plug the leakage and clean the nullah entirely,” Sawant said.
Background of Controversy
The fish kill came to light on Friday, triggering widespread concern. Residents alleged that contaminated water from the nullah near the waste management plant had entered the water body, causing the fish deaths. The incident also led to a heated exchange between Sawant and representatives of the company operating the waste management facility.
The Cacora garbage treatment plant has been controversial since it began receiving waste from several parts of South Goa, including Margao, even though it was originally intended to handle garbage only from Sanguem, Quepem, and Dharbandora talukas. Locals claim similar contamination incidents have occurred in the past without remedial action.
