Much ado about water
Isidore Domnick Mendis TNN | Dec 17, 2013, 12.17 AM IST The drying up and pollution of the local bunds and tollem are affecting the quality of life of the residents of Majorda-Utorda-Calata. For the past two decades the 12,000-plus residents of the serene village panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata, also known as MUC, have been facing hardships caused by the drying up and pollution of their well-known natural water bodies-tolla bund, pongiro bund, khursachem tollem and igorjichem tollem. Villagers were dependent on these water bodies for everything, including the irrigation of their rabi crops such as beans, cereals, sweet potatoes, red chilies, onions and watermelons. There was a time when Majorda's watermelons enjoyed the numero uno position across the state, say locals. And fish, too, was once abundant in these water bodies. Both igorjichem tollem and khursachem tollem flowed with lobsters and local fare such as pitol, tigor, etc. Old timers lament the establishment of an industrial area and the construction of a railway line, which, they claim, led to the ruination of the water bodies. The railway line was particularly devastating as it deposited huge quantities of mud and silt in the water bodies, claim locals. "Farmers were dependent on the natural lakes for irrigation, but today most of these water bodies are dying a silent death and some have already died," says Jose Inacio Gomes, a resident of Dongri waddo. A teacher at a Chicalim-based institute, he claims khursachem tollem in Costa Gomes waddo is bearing the brunt of encroachment on one side and sewage being dumped by nearby hotels, restaurants and houses on another side. "The water table of igorjichem tollem has gone down 60% because of the road under bridge at the level crossing at the Majorda railway station," he alleges. Claiming that this bridge was "an ill-planned and ecologically disastrous project", he says the initial plan to construct a bridge over the railway line for road traffic was sacrificed by the "then selfish, corrupt rulers". Since the panchayat area is a popular tourist destination, it is also home to some big-name starred hotels. Yet, locals claim, most of these establishments, along with restaurants in the area, do not have proper systems to treat their sewage, which either flows into the water bodies or the nearby fields. A classic case is that of the 1,500 sq m field at Adao vado belonging to Joaquim Fernandes. It has allegedly become un-cultivatable because of sewage flowing from a nearby five-star hotel. "We don't see the larger picture of tomorrow and we are hell bent on polluting the entire area with sewage water. All stakeholders, whether five-star hotels or restaurants, should be more responsible," feels Jeorge Fernandes, a taxi driver and a prominent social activist from Majorda. He stresses that there is "absolutely no emphasis" on preserving the water bodies, which have not been desilted or even de-weeded. "The water table has also depleted because the railway has planted along the track line Acasia-an Australian reject and a water-consuming plant-instead of traditional water-retaining plants such as mango, jackfruit and coconut," he adds. Despite this gloomy scenario, there is a voice in the village that talks of the need for a "collective endeavour" to raise the water table. "Every household should try to focus on rainwater harvesting," says local Oscar Gonsalves. The educationist and administrator of a Miramar-based institute adds, "Drinking water in particular is a scarce commodity and should be used judiciously. At my house I ensure that rainwater is retained in specially dug pits." He also takes care of cooking through bio gas. Speaking on the issues, sarpanch Moses Vaz says, "The water resources department is desilting all the major water bodies in the panchayat area. As for the flow of sewage from hotels into the water bodies, I am unaware of any such case. Yes, there was an inspection conducted by the Goa state pollution control board at Adao wado a year ago following one complaint, but the panchayat has not been informed about any action taken in this regard by GSPCB. In khursachem tollem, any problem of sewage flow will be detected only after desiltation, as the fields have not been tilled for many years now." Nuvem MLA Fransisco 'Mickky' Pacheco said, "The work of desilting most of the water bodies in Majorda is already complete, and the water table is now expected to rise." Water woe The village panchayat is divided into nine wards, and many areas experience shortage in drinking water supply and absence of street lighting. "The drinking water supply is weak throughout the year and this gets further compounded by leakages caused by corroded pipes. Many of the places also lack proper street lighting which has led to a rise in robberies," claims resident Milagres Pereira. Another resident, Michael Gracias adds, "During the 2012 assembly polls, Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco had promised that Majorda would have continuous water supply. To date no action in this regard has come from the MLA." Sarpanch Moses Vaz insists "there is no problem with the supply of drinking water in Majorda", while Pacheco says, "People from Majorda will no longer face the problem of water scarcity as arrangements have already been made-new pipelines laid-to ensure that all the residents have easy access to potable water."
