Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: The Galgibaga river in Poinguinim, Canacona, has changed its natural course due to prolonged neglect and unchecked growth of bushes and mangroves within its riverbed, resulting in severe damage to adjoining paddy fields and rendering large tracts of agricultural land unfit for cultivation.
Villagers from the twin villages of Loliem–Poinguinim have sought urgent government intervention to restore the free flow of the Galgibaga river, which traditionally played a crucial role in protecting agricultural fields during the monsoon season.
Farmer-activist Prashant S. Pagui said that earlier, local villagers regularly cleared bushes and vegetation from the riverbed to ensure smooth water flow. “For several years now, the river has not been properly maintained. Thick bushes and mangroves have grown extensively inside the riverbed, severely obstructing the natural flow of water,” he said.
According to Pagui, the obstruction has caused monsoon floodwaters to divert from the river’s natural course and inundate nearby agricultural fields. “The river has changed its direction and now floods farmers’ fields, depositing stones, debris and other materials. This has destroyed crops repeatedly and made the land unfit for cultivation,” he added.
Pagui, who had also raised the issue in the Gram Sabha, said villagers have passed formal resolutions and submitted them to the Water Resources Department (WRD). Following these representations, a junior engineer from the WRD inspected the site and reportedly acknowledged the need for cleaning and restoring the riverbed to prevent further damage.
However, villagers allege that the work has not begun due to delays in obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department for clearing bushes and mangroves from the riverbed. “Because of this inter-departmental delay, farmers are left helpless, with every monsoon posing a fresh threat to their livelihoods,” said another affected farmer.
Residents expressed concern that while the Government of Goa encourages agricultural activity, unresolved departmental issues on the ground are making farming increasingly difficult. They warned that continued inaction could lead to permanent loss of cultivable land in the area.
The affected villagers have made an urgent appeal to the Water Resources Department, the Forest Department and the state government to jointly address the issue. They have sought immediate permissions and scientific, environmentally responsible clearance of the riverbed to restore the Galgibaga river’s natural flow and protect agricultural fields from recurring monsoon damage.
