Lacking awareness
TNN Jan 29, 2015, 02.00 AM IST Isidore Domnick Mendes Surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, River Sal in the east and bordered by six villages—Benaulim and Navelim in the north, Telaulim and Orlim in the east, and Carmona and Cavelossim in the south—Varca is one of the first few villages to have a bailing machine to compress dry waste into small, manageable bales which is then transported by the Goa state pollution control board to be used as recycling fuel in a cement facility at Cacora in Quepem taluka. For the first time since the new panel came into being after the May 2012 panchayat elections in Goa, Varca's local governing body collects around three tonnes of garbage every week, free of cost. Wet garbage is easy to use as animal feed and manure for plants. To start with, around 15 awareness programmes were organized by the panchayat under the guidance of environmentalist Clinton Vaz, which was supported by Our Lady of Gloria Church, St Mary's High School, shopkeepers, builders etc. The builders since then have agreed, in principal, to have composting units in all their future projects. Varca comprises seven wards and 13 vaddos including Chadvaddo, Novangully, Calvaddo, Laxette/Uddo, Reprovaddo, Razvaddem, Guneavaddo /Langotten/Sanvaddo, Pedda Utordoxi, Pedda Numeio, Pedda Dumotlem, Cobia Pedda, 2nd Fatrade and 3rd Fatrade. One still finds plastic bags, disposable plates, empty bottles, and cans dumped at the shopping complex, market area, bus stop opposite the village church or in the fields on the interior roads. "There are still a few villagers, tenants and tourists who are acting as roadblocks to keep Varca permanently free from garbage. Awareness programmes on usefulness of collecting and segregating both dry and wet garbage has to be revisited again," says Havelock Ferrao of Chad vaddo. Agrees Solon Furtado, a resident and owner of a supermarket, "The mess has been occurring because a few villagers still lack awareness that proper disposal of garbage could lead to a win-win situation. A conscious effort has to be made to target people's way of thinking that it is ok or our right to dirty or mess up anything which is outside our compound." "The panchayat has done commendable work to disseminate the message of using eco-friendly disposable mediums like recyclable bags which has made a big impact in our village. The use of plastic bags in almost all commercial establishments, including shops, restaurants or hotels has declined drastically," he adds. Says Agnel Fernandes of Calvaddo, "To begin with, even when the guidelines for segregation of wet and dry garbage came up, there was resistance but with the passage of time, the residents of most houses, barring a few, have completely adjusted." Villagers suggest that the school has to be made an important platform in future educational programmes on garbage management. "Our children, especially students, can be made the real agents of change as they will play a big role in correcting not only their own parents, but, also others, like tenants and even tourists who indulge in littering both public and private places in our village," says Delociana Luiza Jacques D'Souza, a teacher by profession and a resident of Reprovaddo. Villagers feel let down that despite Varca being home to so many five-star hotels and boutique hotels, none of them have helped the panchayat in its effort in garbage collection and segregation. "It is sad that none have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) structure in place to support the initiatives of garbage management by the panchayat," says panchayat member and ex-sarpanch Crosly Charlton Lourenco. The panchayat is gearing up to face the challenge coming in the way of cent per cent success in garbage management. "We have already penalized a few offenders who were found dumping waste by levying a fine of `5,000. At the same time, the panchayat needs financial support from the state government as it incurs a monthly expense of around `32,000 on garbage collection and segregation," says Varca sarpanch Francisco Simao Fernandes. Benaulim MLA Caetano 'Caitu' Silva is conscious of the fact that the garbage challenge can be combated by regular educational programmes. "Few villagers have not taken a wholehearted interest in the garbage collection and segregation programme. My support to the villagers and the Varca panchayat in their endeavour of garbage collection and segregation is total." Sums up ex-sarpanch and present panchayat member Luisa Rodrigues from the ruling panel, "Very few residents of Varca are still awaiting re-enlightenment on the benefits that accrue after segregation of dry and wet garbage. If garbage is managed well, it is wealth." Problem Problem Lights out Locals point out to decorative streetlights erected in Varca and adjoining areas during the tenure of former industry minister Luizinho Faleiro which hardly function as most of the bulbs have fused and no attempt has been made to make them operational. "These tall poles without illumination are nothing but white elephants, though the panchayat has put regular lights on the poles a year ago," says a resident. Burglars at large The past few months have been a matter of concern for Varca as there has been a spate of burglary cases and the police have been clueless in apprehending the culprits. "There was an attempt to rob the branch of Bank of Baroda at the church complex recently. Three houses were targeted by burglars in Chadvaddo, Novangully and Reprovaddo over the last three months. This depicts the poor policing, because, not a single culprit has been arrested or valuable recovered," says a concerned villager, speaking on condition of anonymity. No beach infrastructure Locals complain that Varca beach has been neglected by authorities in terms of provision of basic infrastructure. "Varca beach lacks infrastructure in terms of a washroom, changing rooms, etc. The authorities should pay heed to develop basic amenities on the beach," says Solon Furtado. Trivia The Our Lady of Gloria Church, built in 1635, is also abode of the miraculous image of Jesus Christ, originally belonging to Sancoale village, where the faithful and devotees come from far-and-wide to have a glimpse and pray at the time of exposition which is held on only two days every year- Good Friday and the day before Advent begins. Some of the famous children of this village were Dr Maurilo Furtado, first sarpanch of the village, a former MLA and senior leader of the United Goans Party. He championed the cause for Goa to retain its separate and distinct identity during the 1967 Opinion Poll. Fr Freddy J da Costa, an ardent lover of Konkani and founder editor of Gulab, the Konkani monthly magazine, also hailed from this village. Varca produced Franky Baretto, ex-defender of the Indian national football team, who also donned colours for Salgaocar, East Bengal, Vasco and Churchill Brothers and won various championships including the National Football League, Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, Federation Cup etc. The village is also home to Churchill Brothers Sports Club, which has won almost all the major football tournaments in the country, including the I-League (twice) 2008-09, 2012-13; Durand Cup (thrice) 2007, 2009, and 2011; the Federation Cup in 2013-14 and the IFA Shield (twice) in 2009, and 2011. Top View We will have to revisit the awareness programmes teaching villagers not to mix wet garbage with plastic waste and collection of segregated dry waste Francisco Simao Fernandes, Varca sarpanch Few villagers have not taken a wholehearted interest in the garbage collection and segregation programme. My support to the villagers and the Varca panchayat is total Caetano 'Caitu' Silva, Benaulim MLA People's take The mess has been occurring because a few villagers still lack in awareness that proper disposal of garbage could lead to a win-win situation Solon Furtado, resident Our children, especially the students, can be made the real agents of change as they will play a big role in correcting, not only their own parents, but, also others, like tenants and even tourists Delociana Luiza Jacques D'Souza, resident There are still a few villagers, tenants and tourists who are acting as roadblocks to keep Varca permanently free from garbage Havelock Ferrao, resident
