Environmentalist demand to save Bicholim river

[samir umarye]

BICHOLIM: Even as there is a widespread awareness being made for saving Walvanti river in Sanquelim, the environmentalist from Bicholim have sounded a warning bell demanding preservation of Bicholim river.

 

It may be stated that Bicholim river originates from Talekhol in Maharastra and later meets at Sarmanas river covering a distance of about 22 kilometers. The environmentalist says that this river is widely poluted and there is a need to form a committee to save this river.

 

“There is a report that Bicholim river is polluted right from Kudchirem to Bicholim and there are several factors for this. The condition of the river is very critical and we wonder whether it is really a river or a small nallaha.” Environmentalist, Ramesh Gawas says.

 

He feels that the main reason for having less water is the stopping of sources and springs that met the river. “There was a main water sources in Lamgao lake that met the river but now if we see this source has completely died out” Gawas told.

 

He told that as there is less water there are many adverse effects on the marine life. “There are many septic tanks directly attached to the river, many people wash their clothes and at some places there are vehicle washing centres that let their dirty water into the river because of all these reasons the water of Bicholim river is polluted” Gawas told.

 

He expressed doubt over how many years the Bicholim river will suvive if all this continues. “I did my best to save Bicholim river from 2007 to 2010 when there were plans to start a new mine at the banks of this river at Vathadev. I even approached the High court and was able to stall the plans of the mining company and saved the river. Now the question arises whether the WRD will save this river or not, whether the speaker, Bicholim MLA would do something to save this river” Gawas asked.

 

He told that if this river is not saved then there would be severe problems that would arise for the people of Bicholim. He told that he has suggested to make optimum use of the river in Regional Plan 2021 but feels that no one is interested in saving the river or making use of it.