Summer in Goa means spring time or beach time, with a visit to either or both, preparing for the monsoon ahead. When the temperature rises, there is nothing better than the coolness of the refreshing water from a spring, or a dip in the waters of the sea.
In the olden days, sea water kept prickly heat at bay and spring waters nourished the body with elements that kept the flu away during the monsoons.
Whatever the belief, the truth is that these two sources of water were, to people, the most comforting thoughts through the year.
There was a time, not too long ago, when springs were an integral part of our biodiversity. There were small and large springs, here and there, that were used for drinking and cooking purposes, bathing and even washing clothes.
As the infrastructure expands, many of these springs appear to be losing out to development, and where we once saw gushing water, now one sees trickles of it. Natural water is fast disappearing, just like our wells.
As the infrastructure expands, many of these springs appear to be losing out to development, and where we once saw gushing water, now one sees trickles of it. Natural water is fast disappearing, just like our wells.
And, panic has yet to set in or has just begun to set in -- also in trickles just like the water that flows from the few remaining springs.
Fortunately, awareness is now sought to be created by a group of locals from Siolim, and this time too, through candlelight protests.
Siolcars woke up one January day, when they realised that their 100-year-old trees were being slaughtered right in front of everyone and during the day, that too, without any permission.
Stung, with no evidence, the locals started a candlelight protest that saw some approach the High Court and, soon, a stay was obtained and the remaining trees that were to fall prey to the axe, received a second life.
The pro-active stance of the High Court has lit embers of hope in the locals, and a few weeks back, Siolcars had a candlelight protest to save a spring in one of the villages of the constituency.
And, panic has yet to set in or has just begun to set in -- also in trickles just like the water that flows from the few remaining springs.
Where are the springs that we knew? The Kesarval spring, that once saw water gushing, has lost its power.
The Anna Fonte in Margao, despite being done up, is more of a recreational hub than a fountain that local kids used to visit for a bath or wash after playing at the BPS Club or other places.
The water at the spring in Raia still flows and its freshness can still be felt, but the flow of spring water in surrounding villages is weakening. The charm of spring water lies in its ability to repair the body, to replace weakness with strength.
The people from Siolim have realised that moaning the loss of springs will in no way help save these water sources and that something needs to be done to address the problem, and the best way is by sensitising the people of the lurking dangers after the water bodies disappear.
All the springs in Goa are old. There were springs in Saligao and they still exist, but are no more the source of happiness to locals and to the others who visited them from all over.
The pro-active stance of the high court has lit embers of hope in the locals, and a few weeks back, Siolcars had a candlelight protest to save a spring in one of the villages of the constituency.
Locals in Saligao did protest about their springs being contaminated, but no one seemed to care and with constructions coming up all around, finding the spring is a source of problem now.
Locals in Siolim started their campaign after determining through two laboratory tests that the spring water is top level and without any traces of contamination.
Being aware, through RTI replies, that dodgy constructions are set to come up in the vicinity of the springs, locals decided to start sensitising villagers through candlelight protests.
It became clear, through an RTI reply, that a 15-metre road was shown to exist where construction was to start, when in reality, only a 4.5-metre road exists and that was proved when the village sarpanch carried out an inspection.
Just the presence of the sarpanch added teeth to the armour the locals were carrying along with lit candles. The idea, as in most cases, is not to halt development, but to halt the destruction of the environment.
Locals in Saligao did protest about their springs being contaminated, but no one seemed to care and with constructions coming up all around, finding the spring is a source of problem now.
Delhi was not structured with steel, but trees that were slowly cut for what it is today – uninhabitable. And, so is the story of other states. It is these indiscriminate constructions in Goa that are killing our natural resources.
Hopefully, the resolve of Siolcars will not ebb. Instead, it may help others arise and realise that when a government disregards the sentiments of the people, the arm of the proletariat can strike a deadly blow and with an active High Court, the blow could hurt even more.
