Team Herald

CUNCOLIM: After surveying all the existing water bodies in Cuncolim town, some social activists have said that if these water sources are maintained properly, Cuncolim can become self sufficient in water and would not need water from outside sources.

The survey was conducted by GOACAN and Cuncolim Consumer Forum to mark the World Water Day, recently.

Based on the survey, GOACAN chief Roland Martins opined that if all the water bodies in the town are renovated and properly maintained, Cuncolim can be become water sufficient. 

Cunclom has an age old irrigation and water storage system; the town has twelve big bandhs and six small bandharas that supplied water for paddy and chilly cultivation.

According to Martins, these water bodies are sufficient to supply water for drinking and agriculture.

But of late, since most of the farmers have given up forming these water bodies are not being maintained. Even the government and the local municipality too have neglected to maintain the water bodies in the Cuncolim town. This has led to water shortage in the town.

A recent inspection of the wells in the town by the Water Resources Department has revealed that the ground water table in the town has depleted. Experts say that the ground water table depletion is attributable to the lack of maintenance of the bandhs and bandharas. 

The activists demanded that the government, specifically the Water Resources Department, immediately initiate the reconstruction and maintenance of the bandhs, bandharas, rivers, rivulets, wells and ponds in Cuncolim town to make it self sufficient in water.