PANAJI: After inspecting 163 slaughtering establishments involved in the slaughtering and sale of chicken, mutton and pork, the Goa state pollution control (GSPCB) has decided to issues directions to stop pollution cause due to water being discharged into municipal drains and soak pits, failing which the board may issue closure directions.
The inspection was conducted based on the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the case of pollution caused due to illegal slaughtering of animals in the state.
Out of 163 slaughtering-cum-retail shops identified across the state, 37 have been identified in Mapusa, 32 in Margao, 18 in Panaji, 17 in Valpoi, 12 in Ponda, nine each in Vasco and Cuncolim, three each in Bicholim, Sakhali and Pernem.
Speaking to TOI, GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said, "We will issue directions under the Water Act for the treatment of effluent generated by the slaughtering houses."
He also said that the slaughterhouses have to discharge effluent into the sewerage treatment plant or they should construct soak pits with oil and grease traps.
An NGT bench at Pune had issued notices to GSPCB and other government authorities regarding the hearing of an application seeking strict action against violators for pollution caused due to illegal slaughtering of animals in the state. Animal rescue squad and social activist Kashinath Shetye and others had filed the application.
The applicants prayed for the prohibition of all forms of slaughtering in Goa except in slaughterhouses with functioning effluent treatment plants which have permission to operate issued by the GSPCB.
The applicants pointed out that the Supreme Court has identified slaughtering as one of the major polluting activities. The GSPCB should appraise and monitor the sourcing of raw material to the markets from illegal slaughterhouses, the applicants had stated.
The applicants also pointed out that the prevailing conditions inside the illegal slaughterhouses are creating serious problems of water and air pollution. The petitioners alleged that the carcasses are cut into large pieces thrown on the ground, full of dirt and blood, and thus create additional sanitary problems and environmental pollution.
A large meat-eating population is also being put to risk of life and health as people are not aware of the appalling conditions under which animals are slaughtered, transported and sold. They do not know whether the meat offered to them for consumption comes from a healthy or a sick and diseased animal.
