Team Herald
SANGUEM: Situated in Goa’s Southernmost part is the village of Salgini in Netravali which is often compared to Cherrapunji for its ever-pleasant weather. With a drizzle during monsoons and bitter cold during winters; the village holds the unique distinction of not experiencing heat even during the peak summer months of April and May.
Geographically, the village is located between lush green mountains, as if a ruby is placed in the centre of the other nine gems.
For all its natural gifts, however, the village has remained away from mainstream development for the last 60 years. In fact, the biggest so-called amenity in the village is one KTC bus that makes rounds just once a day.
Since the state attained liberation, the village has been provided with electricity connection but lacks a properly built tar road.
The village has one school which was built during Bhau Saheb Bandodkar’s time and was renovated during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar. Let alone internet services, the place does not even have something as basic as a primary health centre. Goa and its villages changed drastically since the liberation but Salgini locals cannot say the same.
The village has huge potential to be developed as a hill station if only the Tourism Department were to acknowledge its prospects. The villagers shifted to nearby villages of Curchorem and Netravali in search of work after mining activities were banned in the State but they have not cut off their roots from the village.
Other hilly areas of Tudav and Verlem are also suffering the same fate. The absence of transport facilities for school students has forced parents to move to other locations with better amenities for their children. If promoted well, Saljini will come to be known as the tourist hub of South Goa.
