GAURESH SATTARKAR
Goa’s natu ral lifelines are quietly vanishing under admin istrative apathy and un checked development. Dozens of historic, per ennial springs face ex tinction due to severe government negligence. A stark example is the Portuguese-era spring at Talvale in Uguem, which once sustained entire village ecosystems and agricultural fields. De spite site inspections by the Water Resources Department (WRD), res toration work has not yet materialised, leaving the vital community wa ter channel choked with mud and debris. Not just this one, but many such natural springs across Uguem are slowly vanishing. Locals claimed they had repeatedly raised the issue, and the WRD had even carried out an inspection long ago, but to date, no repair or restoration work has been seen on the ground.
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The spring water, once clean and drinkable, is now filled with mud, bushes, and blocked water channels. The same water source was earlier used for farming, but due to a lack of maintenance and a decline in farming activities, the spring has deteriorated badly. “Representatives have cleaned and repaired sever al wells, and now we request them to take up the resto ration and cleaning of these springs as well by informing the concerned minister as soon as possible. If the spring is restored, people will once again get clean water and the old heritage spring back, which is our main demand. Just as funds were spent on repairing wells, similar attention and money should also be spent on restoring these springs. Almost all springs in the villages are currently in the same neglected condition and need immediate repair and pro tection,” said Filip Furtado, a resident. Today, local panch members and residents jointly in spected the spring and appealed to the government to im mediately undertake repair and restoration work before the water source disappears. “We used to drink this spring water during our child hood days, and used to bathe here. But now, due to no maintenance and no proper use, the spring has been com pletely spoiled. The water has become so dirty that we can not even wash our hands. This spring should be cleaned and restored properly. In times when there is no tap water supply, people can again depend on this spring water for their needs. The structure built by our ancestors to protect the spring should also be reconstructed and preserved. The Biodiversity Committee chairman had inspected the spring, but till date no action has been taken. We request the government and concerned departments to immedi ately clean, restore and protect this heritage spring for the benefit of the people,” said Elvira Fernandes, Uguem panch. Marcus Pereira, another panch said, “Earlier, the kids used to drink the spring water which was very clean and sweet, but now the spring’s condition has deteriorated to such an extent that people cannot drink the water.” “Earlier, officials from the WRD and the Biodiversity Committee had inspected this spring. We thought some restoration work would happen, but nothing has material ised till date. We yet again visited the spring to highlight its deteriorating condition,” Pereira said. The panch said, “We villagers are requesting the government and departments concerned to immediately clean and restore this spring so that it can once again be used by the people.”
