Lobo links Mapusa youth’s death to waste management crisis

Calangute: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Saturday said the death of a youth in Mapusa, linked to a garbage dumping incident, highlights Goa’s waste management crisis.

Lobo said that with no waste collection mechanism in the surrounding villages, people bring garbage bags when they come to Mapusa for work or to drop their children off at school. “Anywhere you go in Mapusa, you see garbage,” he said.

On Friday, 23-year-old Samuel de Braganca allegedly shot himself dead hours after a purported video of him dumping waste went viral. An offence was registered against him at Mapusa police station for allegedly dumping waste.

Calling the incident unfortunate, Lobo said some people make videos to show concern for the environment, but said the youth should have corrected his behaviour instead of taking his life.

He said the state is falling behind in garbage collection and management, and called for govt, like-minded citizens, and NGOs to work together.