The story of the village of Kurdi in Sanguem taluka has been told many times. It is one of the
villages that was submerged with the construction of the Selaulim Dam and the
inhabitants were relocated elsewhere.Everyone hears about Kurdi around this
time as the old residents visit this historic place as a way of remembering and
paying their respects to a village that have given them their name literally –
‘Kurdikar’.
The unique nature of this land is that it surfaces only for two
months in May and June and for the remaining months the land is submerged
underwater.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
While these folk make sure the place is cleaned after their
annual events, the area becomes a popular picnic spot and what one does not get
to hear of or see is the amount of litter and garbage left on these lands.
In situations like these, it usually takes a few people to take
the initiative and clean up the place.For Kurdi, a group of people who are
based far away in Salcete taluka came forward.
As part of a noble initiative called ‘Nital Nisarg’, a group of
cyclists called Xaxti Riders carried out a clean up drive on Sunday, June 17,
2018 at Kurdi.
These passionate cyclists from in and around Margao cycle almost
daily, with Sundays being the day for longer rides of almost 100kms, exploring
new hinterlands in Goa, specifically South Goa. There are around 105 members of
all ages, the youngest being 10 years old and the oldest being 78. The club
officially came into existence nine months ago with architect Sameer Nadkarni
as its president and co founder. Besides the main objective of promoting
cycling, they also initiate activities with social causes, like Nital Nisarg.
“When we plan a long ride to an unknown place, some of us
generally do a prior recce to the place to ensure road condition and safety of
the riders. When we visited Kurdi earlier this week for the customary recce, we
were shocked to see dry waste, broken glass, beer cans and plastic pet bottles
strewn around,” says Sameer Nadkarni.
“Kurdi is located where no tourist can find it and this mess was
obviously made by us Goans. We were concerned about what would happen when the
village would get submerged, with all the waste floating on the surface. This water
is pumped to the filtration plant of Selaulim dam for drinking water,” adds
Sameer.
This threw open the idea of cleaning up the village environs.
Support poured in for this initiative not only from 70-80 riders and their
families but also from ex Sarpanch, Kurdi village, MrParyekar and local Sanguem
MLAPrasad Gaonkar. Thus Nital Nisargwas born.
“The objective of Nital Nisarg was to send a strong message to
our fellow Goans to generate some much needed civic sense and to the government
that it is the need of the hour to find a solution to this plastic and other
non-degradable dry waste menace,” adds Sameer.
The group carried disposable gloves, garbage tongs, garbage bags
to collect the dry waste, and the mission that they won’t return until they get
the job done. Sixty-odd riders across age groups left at Bolshe Circle, Salcete
at 6:30 am. This was a considerable feat, given the distance and the fact that
the day saw heavy rainfall. The route right up to the first regrouping point
outside the famed Zambaulim Temple was dotted in the rainbow colours of the
Xaxti Riders. There they were were joined by a few other riders and new
friendships emerged.
After making a pit spot at Zambaulim, where refreshments were
served, the riders then took off for Kurdi village. A perfectly tarred road
that gradually blended into a mud road opened out to the vista that was the
village of Kurdi. Expanses of water mingled with the green cover, roots of
submerged fauna and a dilapidated police chowki of years gone by. A starkly
beautiful scenery was sadly marred by plastic bags and bottles strewn around.
After stopping for breakfast, Project Nital Nisarg got underway.
The gloves and garbage tongs came out and the Xaxti ridersgot going. Eighteen
garbage bags were loaded into the pick-up vehicle.
“The rain gods too seemed happy and obliged the riders with
showers at the right moments. All in all, a Sunday well spent as usual and with
some social responsibility fulfilled as well,” quips Sameer.
“The main objective of Nital Nisarg initiative by Xaxti Riders
was to send a strong message to fellow Goans that it is not always tourists who
litter but it’s we Goans who do this as well, especially in remote villages
like Kurdi, where no tourists venture but many locals drive over for picnics
and outings and leave their mark!” reiterates Sameer.
Speaking
about their future initiatives, Sameer points out that they are planning a seed
(plant) bombing under the Nital Nisarg initiative by Xaxti Riders and they also
hope that in the future, they are able to help needy children with bicycles to
commute, among many other similar environment related activities in the coming
months.
