Goa, June 8 -- The Mandovi River, a lifeline for Goa's ecology, economy, and culture, is facing severe pollution from unchecked urbanization, poor waste management, and industrial discharge. Key sources of contamination include untreated sewage from homes, restaurants, and casinos operating on the river. A study by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) reveals that such waste contributes significantly to microplastic pollution, particularly fibres from personal care products and laundry effluents. These microplastics threaten marine life and enter the human food chain through seafood.

Heavy metal contamination is another growing concern. Elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury have been found in river sediments. Mercury, li...