Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed all 30 panchayats, located on the banks of River Mandovi, to conduct a survey of the residential and commercial establishments discharging sewerage into the river.
"The directives are issued to all the 30 panchayats. They have to conduct special survey to track down the commercial and residential establishments which are blatantly discharging the sewerage into Mandovi river," GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told reporters today.
He said the panchayats have been asked to penalise those releasing the sewerage into the river.
"If panchayats fail to do so, they will have to face action," Noronha said.
He said littering in public places is prohibited under the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996.
The Board has also issued a similar notice to the Directorate of Health Services under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, he said.
"An areawise detailed survey of all residences, residential complexes and establishments along the banks of river Mandovi, including creeks, streams or any other water body emptying into it, having or not having discharge into the river, and detailed list of such establishments (has been ordered). And once the discharge points have been identified, the same are to be immediately removed effectively and permanently," the order issued by GSPCB member secretary Levinson Martins said.
