the goan I network
MARGAO
The picturesque Salpem lake in Navelim and three other traditional water bodies in neighbouring Telaulim may see a turn-around if the proposal mooted by Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro for the revival of the water bodies gets the government’s nod.
Accompanied by Telaulim Sarpanch Estevan Goes, Fr Abreu and officials of Water Resources department, Faleiro on Monday inspected the Salpem lake, besides the Telaulim, Coldem and Boshi tollem to restore these water bodies to their pristine glory.
With silt and sewage flowing from neigbouring Margao city devastating the Salpem lake, a proposal has been mooted to desilt the water body and beautify them with amenities such as walking track and seating arrangements.
“Our ancestors had maintained these water bodies for generations, and now it is our responsibility to save and improve them for posterity. During our childhood days, we used to go to the Salpem lake to catch fish and swim, but today people have stopped entering the lake as the sewage flow has posed health and environmental hazard”, Faleiro asserted.
The Navelim MLA expressed his gratitude to Fr Abreu as the water bodies in Telaulim are owned by the local chapel and that the Chapel committee has promised to issue NOC for the restoration of the water bodies.
He also thanked Water Resources department Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues for directing his officials for the inspection, which will be followed by preparation of estimates to restore the water bodies.
Exuding confidence that work on the restoration of the four water bodies may start in the near future, Faleiro said the government will take up work on these water bodies one at a time.
“It’s not just a revival of the water bodies, but the restoration of ecology and environment,” he said.
As far as Salpem lake is concerned, it has been decided to desilt the lake since the water body has been devastated with silt and sewage. “Margao has no reason to release sewage in the gutters, which finally finds its way to Salpem lake. I hope the municipal authorities are aware that a recent NGT judgement has mulled disconnection of power, water connections of households discharging sewage into the open,” he added.
The Navelim MLA has also proposed desilting of the Sal rivulet flowing from Rawanfond and action against the illegal structures that have come up right on the river banks. “It is sad that sewage from these illegal structures is flowing into the rivulet. This has to stop. I have taken up the matter with the WRD Minister for desilting of the rivulet,” he added.
