The Bench has sought a response from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), including an action taken report by June 1.
The Court referred to a newspaper report stating that a qualitative and quantitative study conducted by the GSPCB had revealed alarming findings regarding the river’s water quality.
In view of this, the Bench said it would widen the ambit of the proceedings to cover the Mandovi riverine stretch to address the “apparent and ongoing water pollution” in the area.
Directing immediate steps, the Court ordered the GSPCB to place on record all relevant reports. “We direct the Member Secretary of the GSPCB to conduct a comprehensive study “ both qualitative and quantitative “ of the water quality in the Mandovi River, particularly in the estuarine stretch near the IFFI jetty and the Mandovi bridges, and to prepare a report accordingly,” it said.
The study must also focus on the estuarine stretch where other marine vessels engaged in tourism activities operate.
“The study shall gather and analyse data relating to water quality in the vicinity of each offshore casino and any other marine vessels engaged in tourism activities,” the Court added.
The Bench further directed the Board to initiate appropriate remedial action in accordance with law based on existing data, including findings under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Both the study report and the action taken report are to be filed by June 1.
