MARGAO
After years of neglect and devastation by weeds and sewage, Benaulim’s Komla Tollem, where it is believed that the arrow of Lord Parshuram fell, giving birth to the village, is set for a facelift.
When Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Subhash Shirodkar descended at the lake on Thursday morning with Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, WRD Chief Engineer, Badani in tow, resident Geraldine Fernandes drew the attention of the Minister that the Komla Tollem had once played host to a unique variety of Lotus, only found in Kerala and Benaulim, but is no more found in the water body.
She added: “There’s a history behind the Komla Tollem. It is believed that the arrow of Lord Parshuram had fallen here. The lake had played host to a unique Lotus before the lake was hit by sewage and weeds. We have to make the lake a heritage site.”
The WRD Minister assured the residents that the Komla Tollem will be restored to its lost glory as per the Goa government’s initiative to beautify the lakes and water bodies across the State. “We will restore the lake to its pristine glory, but then it is for the people to maintain the water body,” he said, adding ‘work on the restoration of the Komla Tollem will be taken up on priority in the next two months.’
The WRD Minister is believed to have later visited several water bodies across Benaulim constituency along with local MLA Venzy Viegas for inspection.
