Perennial waterfall goes dry in Goa; villagers blame mining activity
What's the story
A perennial waterfall in Goa, revered by locals and visitors for its religious significance and natural beauty, has dried up with the villagers blaming it on the reckless mining activity.
The locals claim that for the first time in decades they have seen the waterfall, located in Harvalem village in North Goa district, going dry even as the summer is yet to set in.
Religious significance
The mining activity disturbed the water table: Temple official
A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva stands nearby, and the place is considered religiously significant as people from far and wide bring the ashes of their deceased near and dear ones for immersing in the water.
"The mines which are located upstream this waterfall have gone so deep that they have actually disturbed the water table," claims Sangesh Kundaikar, vice-president of the temple.
Allegations
The mine owners are responsible for this situation: Kundaikar
"The waterfall has a history spanning nearly 500 years. The people claim the waterfall has never gone dry to such an extent," Kundaikar said.
The mine owners are responsible for this situation, he alleged.
"The rivulets which feed the waterfall have thinned down. For the first time we have seen that the waterfall has dried completely in March itself," he said.
Court order
Mining activity forcefully stopped following SC's order
A dozen mining leases located upstream the waterfall in Sonshi village, located about 5 km from Harvalem near the Pandava caves, used to divert the water for mining purposes and later pump it back into the rivulet.
But, the stoppage of mining activity last month, following a Supreme Court order, has forced the mine owners to abandon their leases.
Dewatering
Mines stopped dewatering, as a result there's no water flow
The state government earlier issued a circular asking the mine owners to continue pumping water from the pits owing to safety issues. But, some mine owners have refused to dewater the pits.
"A majority of the mines have stopped dewatering due to which there is no water flow in the rivulet, leaving it dry," said Haresh Melwani, a member of the Goa Mining Association.
Meeting
State Mines department calls meeting of all mine owners
"Some of the mines upstream this waterfall have gone below the water table due to which there is an imbalance," Melwani claimed.
However, a senior official from the State Mines and Geology department said the North Goa district collector has called a meeting of all mine owners in the next few days to discuss the matter. Director Prasanna Acharya was not available for comments.