Siolim villagers joined their counterparts at Oxel, Siolim to raise their concern about the cutting of trees in the plot near the heritage medicinal spring at the foot of the Our Lady of Sea church. The WRD and Wetland authority should have some guidelines with regards to projects that get approval near such springs or ponds. Projects which do not have sewage plants are the main cause of contamination. The health officer issues NOCs for soak pits and septic tanks for any project if it is 25 metres away from the well or pond. With uncertainty in PWD water supply these builders illegally build borewells for their customers which will definitely dry up the springs in a few years. It has become a free for all for powerful builders to get the zones changes done by the TCP department. Our Governor has given assent to the criminal bill of TCP 39A to plunder the natural resources of Goa. I hope the authorities will step in to check before the springs are destroyed forever. Otherwise the people will have to knock on the doors of the high court to seek justice.
