Massordem’s natural spring cries for attention

Valpoi: The natural spring, known to locals as ‘Massordem jhar, in

Massordem

village of

Valpoi

, is very popular for the medicinal properties of its water with its high iron content. The

spring

is also known to visitors across Goa as a

scenic

outdoor spot. However, neglect over the years in maintaining its natural beauty is beginning to show up starkly. What was once on the list of large number of visitors during summer, now needs urgent care.

This spot now stands out for its dirty surroundings, lack of a proper accessible road and no maintenance of the area, leaving a bad taste for those expecting a pleasant day spent outdoors. The problems start with the spring water; which is used for bathing and people using soap, and for cleaning utensils. The water gets contaminated and leaves traces of the washing. Villagers use the spring water for consumption especially during the summer when local wells run dry.

Gauresh Gawas, a resident of Massordem told TOI that the Valpoi municipal council (VMC) has neglected their pleas for maintaining the spring. He said that they want the spring area to be developed and to have the pipes carrying spring water changed since these are rusted, resulting in water leakage. “If, in the coming two years, maintenance of this spot is not done then the previous construction at the spring will be washed away with the flow of water,” Gawas said.

Another Massordem villager said that a group of youth from their village had taken up the initiative to clean the spot and had even constructed benches for visitors but they need financial support to continue the work.

Sabrin Shah of Valpoi, said that the spring is well-known all over Goa and it must be protected by the government. “I urge the authorities to provide facilities to this tourist spot. A washroom should also be constructed at this spot,” Shah said. She said that the government must construct a new road to replace the narrow, mud road.

Krishna Gawas from the village said that the water from the spring is very helpful, “A person from Valpoi visits the site every week, collects the spring water in a container and sends it by train to his son in Hyderabad. His son is suffering from a liver problem,” Gawas said.

Chairperson of the municipal council, Akhtar Shah, said, “Since I took charge as chairperson, there has been no discussion at the council meetings about developing the Massordem spring. But the renovation of the spring is necessary. In 1999 when I was the chairperson of VMC, I had taken the initiative and had carried out construction at this spot.”