With the installation of PWD water connections, many villagers have ignored authentic community wells but now PWD is increasingly unable to supply water regularly/properly, people have started looking for community wells. Villagers must ensure their panchayats set aside budget, manpower to preserve and maintain these community wells while at the same time be vigilant on illegal borewells which can deplete groundwater resources. In Colva for instance illegal borewells are becoming an increasing menace, mainly by real estate developers and specific commercial establishments while local panchayat, WRD, etc seem to look the other way. Are they waiting for a Chimbel-like situation? The Bombay High Court recently slammed the water resources for turning a blind eye to +70 plus illegal borewells in Chimbel but despite this the WRD dept is still lethargic on complaints in other villages like Colva. Its high time the judiciary severely punishes the erring WRD officials with jail time and huge personal fines.
