Multiple sources continue to add to Sal's pollution
River Sal, often referred to as the lifeline of Salcete, was once a vital source of livelihood and biodiversity. Today, it has become a dumping ground for garbage, releasing sewage and other waste.
Now, multiple sources of waste are seen contributing to the pollution of the river as it winds through Salcete.
For years, environmentalists and locals have raised alarms about River Sal's deteriorating condition.
Alarmingly, the sewage treatment plant at Shirvodem, Margao, has been repeatedly blamed for releasing untreated effluents into the river.
Another significant contributor to this environmental decline is the wholesale fish market at Seraulim.
Large quantities of spoiled or waste fish often find their way into nearby ponds or directly into the river. In addition, the Styrofoam baskets used to transport fish and ice are seen carelessly discarded into the water.
'The damage affects the very heart of ecology, ponds, flora, fauna and the communities that depend on them. Without a coordinated and urgent response from both local bodies and state authorities, this river and many other water bodies around it will face a slow but certain death,' said a panchayat member.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
A Apple Recomenda o Blinkist, O Melhor App Para Intelectuais Ao Redor do Mundo
Blinkist
Undo
Sal's tributaries are choked with water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic weed that spreads rapidly in stagnant, nutrient-rich water. This thick green cover blocks sunlight from penetrating the surface, disrupting photosynthesis in native aquatic plants and depleting oxygen levels, often resulting in fish deaths and threatening the fragile aquatic ecosystem.
Yet, despite the visible consequences, the water resources department (WRD) has no targeted plan to combat the spread of water hyacinth. A WRD official said that the department acts only upon receiving resolutions from local panchayats. Even then, action is dependent on technical feasibility and budget constraints.
For a panchayat to pass a resolution on the cleaning of desilting a pond a collective request must be made by a group of farmers, which is then discussed in the civic body meetings and later at the gram sabha.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Texas Floods Miracle: Two girls found alive, clinging to a tree for over a day — ‘Six miles downriver and 27 feet in the air'
Central Texas reeled under unprecedented flash floods on Friday as heavy rains sent the Guadalupe River rushing through Kerr County and surrounding areas. The violent surge, soaring 26 feet in under an hour, demolished cabins, carried away vehicles, and tragically claimed at least 70 lives, including 21 children, with more than 800 people rescued from the deluge, as per a report by the Associated Press. Miraculous discovery: 2 girls found alive Amid grim search-and-rescue efforts, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered an astonishing update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were discovered alive, perched 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Center Point, as per a report by the Daily Times. Having clung on for more than a day, they were found six miles downstream from their likely point of origin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo 'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver,' Shiflet recounted. The girls were promptly airlifted to safety, their miraculous survival offering a rare beacon of hope amid despair. Also Read | Texas flood death toll rises to 70 — What went wrong and why the Guadalupe River overflowed Live Events Camp Mystic tragedy The flood's human toll was especially severe at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp dating back to 1974. The camp's director and co-owner, Dick Eastland, perished in what many are calling an act of heroism, attempting to shield young campers from the rising waters. Eastland's nephew posted a tribute on social media: 'Camp Mystic's Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers.' U.S. Congressman August Pfluger echoed the sentiment, praising Eastland's selflessness. At least four campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing. The camp's cabins and grounds, now dotted with flooded debris and belongings, were opened to families on Sunday, with the riverbanks and structures being painstakingly combed for clues and survivors. Grim toll and ongoing search Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, reported 59 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. Body recoveries continued across affected counties—four in Travis, three in Burnet, two in Kendall, and one each in Tom Green and Williamson, as authorities pledged to leave no stone unturned until every victim is accounted for. Families panned through river debris, searched among toppled trees and scattered personal effects, and mourned lives lost. Extreme weather warning systems under scrutiny Meteorological experts and local officials noted the flood's rapid onset: four months' worth of rainfall in mere hours. The National Weather Service had issued flash flood alerts beginning Thursday afternoon, and 'life-threatening' warnings followed shortly after midnight Friday. Still, questions loom about whether warnings were sufficiently relayed or heeded, especially in remote camp areas. Compounding the issue, understaffed regional forecast centres, affected by personnel reductions, may have impaired warning coordination. As intense rainfall fell after midnight, often the most dangerous time for flash floods, many residents, campers, and authorities were caught unawares. While searchlights, drones, boats, and Coast Guard helicopters scoured the waters, flash flood watches remained in effect, and more storms were forecast into Sunday. 800 rescued till now In the first 36 hours, rescuers brought over 800 individuals to safety. Helicopters leapfrogged flooded zones, drones canvassed unreachable areas, and ground teams navigated treacherous debris and mud-choked roads. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered round-the-clock efforts and declared Sunday a 'state day of prayer' for victims, survivors, and relief workers. Even Pope Francis, addressing crowds at the Vatican, prayed in English for the bereaved families, especially noting the young campers who were missing. Community support through Mercy Chefs and volunteers Amid rescue operations, community groups and nonprofit networks have mobilised to support first responders and displaced families. Organisations known as 'mercy chefs'—teams of volunteer cooks—have been serving hot meals to stranded residents, search crews, and shelter occupants. Their efforts have been hailed as vital in maintaining morale and sustenance amid chaos. Failure in warning? Texans are now asking why the warnings fell short. Was the overnight timing of the floods to blame, or could understaffed forecast offices have delayed alerts? National Weather Service personnel assert that alert bulletins, including an Emergency Alert System notification at 1:14 a.m., were issued in a timely manner. However, officials admit signal gaps may have left some cabins and camps vulnerable. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said, 'We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what's happened here.' Meanwhile, Congressman Chip Roy described the flood as a 'once-in-a-century' event, acknowledging that unanswered questions and public scrutiny are inevitable as families seek accountability. US President takes action With FEMA activated by President Trump's disaster declaration on Sunday, federal resources are being marshaled for long-term recovery. As water levels fall and access routes are restored, family reunifications, infrastructure repair, and sanitation improvements will move to the forefront. FAQs What triggered the Texas flash floods in July 2025? A sudden deluge dumped four months' worth of rainfall within a few hours, causing the Guadalupe River in Kerr County to rise 26 feet in under 60 minutes. This unprecedented flash flooding overwhelmed camps, cabins, and communities overnight. How many people have died as a result of the flooding? As of the latest reports, at least 70 people have died across Central Texas, including 21 children. Kerr County alone reported 59 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
NMC's disability survey nears completion
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) recently undertook a comprehensive survey to collect data on persons with disabilities across the city. Conducted with the support of Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh and executed by NMC's ASHA workers, the survey is in its final phase and received significant participation from Nagpur residents. The NMC urged citizens to cooperate by providing accurate information to ASHA workers to ensure that persons with disabilities can access benefits from schemes implemented by the central govt, state govt, and the municipal corporation. Under the guidance of NMC commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhary, additional commissioner Vasumana Pant, medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar, and social development officer Dr Ranjana Lade, the survey is being carried out across all ten zones of the city to identify 21 categories of disabilities. To prepare for this initiative, ASHA workers underwent training from April 2 to April 11, 2025. The survey aims to create a roadmap for the upliftment of persons with disabilities by identifying their needs and ensuring access to welfare schemes. Many individuals miss out on benefits due to a lack of information or incomplete documentation. The survey collects details such as disability types, UDID cards, Aadhaar cards, and other relevant information to facilitate access to these schemes and support future planning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo While the survey saw enthusiastic participation from the general and middle-class populations in most areas of Nagpur, ASHA workers faced challenges in upscale neighbourhoods. The NMC appealed to all citizens to cooperate in this final phase of the survey and register any persons with disabilities in their households. This effort is crucial to ensure that no one is left out of welfare schemes, and the NMC emphasised it as a shared moral responsibility. NMC encourages all residents to support this initiative to ensure comprehensive inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Nagpur. 21 categories of disabilities As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, disabilities are classified into the following 21 categories: Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Speech Impairment, Locomotor Disability, Mental Illness, Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Disabilities, Developmental Speech and Language Disorder, Specific Learning Disabilities (e.g., Dyslexia), Low Vision / Myopia, Epilepsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Skeletal Dysplasia, Dwarfism, Neurological Disorder, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease, Acid Attack Victim.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Ashadhi Punav celebrates revitalised nature, Goa's veneration of greenery
Keri: The fourth lunar month, Ashadh, is not only the season of downpours but also the period of outpouring of lushness, with the sprouting of emerald leaves that bedeck Goa's religious and cultural tapestry. Every year, the full moon day of Ashadh is celebrated as Ashadhi Punav by the tribal Velip community in the forested areas of Goa. The new leaves of Dillenia pentagyna (karmal) tree are used as bowls to serve offerings of a sweet dish to the folk deity. The dish is made with rice, jaggery, milk, and grated coconut. Devidas Gaonkar, a tribal researcher from Badde in Cotigao told TOI , 'During the monsoon, karmal trees bear new leaves. Our ancestors fashioned receptacles from these leaves to offer the sweet dish to the deity. Then the leaves served as plates for households.' Gaonkar said that protocol is observed to this day. This holy month sustains another tradition — to offer a special pancake made with rice to the unseen holy spirit of the area. Anand Vaghurmekar from Vaghurme in Ponda, said, 'We offer a pancake, locally known as Rot, on a banana leaf to the holy spirit as a sign of our gratitude for guarding us from various odds and obstacles during Ashadh.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience the thrill on every turn with the new SP125 Honda Learn More Undo In Goa, communities once lived in harmony with nature. They repurposed plates from the leaves of Macaranga peltata (chandivada), Butea monosperma (palash), and Holarrhena pubescens (kuda). These nature-gifted plates were used to serve offerings to deities on festive occasions. Tectona grandis (saylo) is a tree that shimmers with new leaves throughout the year in Goa. These leaves too become improvised plates. However, the leaves of Dillenia pentagyna are the stars during Ashadh, delighting Goans with their radiant freshness. Hence, they are used for religious rites and rituals. In Sattari, annually, a sweet dish made with rice is offered to folk deities on the new leaves of Dillenia pentagyna on Kholyachi Parab. The practice is meant to propitiate the folk deities.
