Panaji: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has taken samples of waste dumped in a property at Carambolim following a joint inspection, as some locals and parents of a reputed school alleged unhygienic conditions and health hazard at the site.The owner himself had sought the inspection for which officials from GSPCB, Goa Waste Management Corporation, archives and archeology department and Carambolim panchayat were present.GSPCB officials, Carambolim panchayat secretary Sanmesh Sawant, sarpanch Kusta Salelkar, panch Teoflina Cardozo, Dilip Pagi, the complainant, activists and locals questioned the owner about various aspects. Bits of plastic, glass pieces and other waste were seen at the site, though it has been largely cleared recently.The local body had directed the property owner to remove the waste in a final notice to him and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for dumping mixed waste hazardously.“The accumulation of waste near residential houses has generated foul odour, vector nuisance and poses a serious risk to public health and groundwater safety,” the notice had stated.The dumping had continued since five years ago and locals had stopped trucks at the site in a couple of instances. The owner had also not obtained approval from GSPCB and other authorities, according to the panchayat notice. The property on the plateau is part of an eco fragile green area and hydrological system of the Carambolim lake and a spring at Azossim flows nearby, locals told the officials.Regarding the second longest fort wall in India abutting the property, the sarpanch said that he would pursue the matter about its notification by govt.Parents of a reputed school nearby who were present alleged that when garbage was being offloaded at the site, the flies had increased. “Our children suffered due to the stench and they couldn’t even open their lunch tiffins,” a parent said.Prasad Parulekar, property owner assured that he would obtain requisite approvals for treating waste, and said, “We have completely stopped bringing the waste to the site.” He blamed unidentified people for dumping waste at night, but had not filed a written complaint.
