Toxic waste fouls water bodies at Agasaim, but fish mortality not assessed by officials

Panaji: The release of toxic waste that fouled the water in the fields and streams of Agasaim has killed large quantities of fish in some water bodies. The episode, however, escaped the notice of govt officials during a recent inspection of affected areas.The hazardous waste dumped earlier in some spots near Pilar started flowing on May 23 due to heavy pre-monsoon rain. Areas of Moita, Malwara, Mercurim, and Padribhat were affected as the waste emitted a stench that suffocated residents for several days.The main streams of Padribhat and Mercurim linked to smaller run-off paths in Agasaim empty into the Zuari, and some have raised apprehensions of extensive damage to the marine ecosystems.“An oil-like substance was floating on the water and we found large quantities of fish dead in the polluted water of a big pond in Mercurim,” said former sarpanch James Afonso. Commercially important fish such as chonak, tamxe, and kallundram were seen floating in the water body. The Mercurim pond barely a kilometre away from the Zuari was teeming with fish and aquatic life. But after the toxic flow in core areas of Agasaim due to tidal action, the water is still.

Some fishermen suspect that the residual effect of the waste is still lingering and may be harming aquatic life.At Padribhat — the stream flows towards Moita and other areas — dead fish were seen in the channel. “Even crabs and snails died due to the toxic flow,” a fisherman said.The farming community has been hit by the pollution in their fields.Officials from the Goa state pollution control board and health department collected samples of the blackish water a few days back.

“But the issue of fish mortality wasn’t brought up then,” a villager said.AAP functionary and activist Ramrao Wagh has filed an FIR at the Agasaim police station against unidentified persons for releasing the toxic waste.“Farming and fishing activities have come to a standstill and fishermen have suffered huge losses,” he said.The waste is polluting Goa’s major river and locals face health problems, Wagh further said.