Goemakpronn desk
CANACONA: Of late, the Galgibagha river is in the news for changing its course from its original point of flow, this is the second change in course since last one month, activists say that it is affecting in a big way the already fragile ecosystem around the river.
The man-made structures like three bridges and reclamation of land for the approach road to these bridges, near the mouth of the river, has burdened the river, and it shows in the form of stress which is leading to extreme erosion of sand which otherwise stood the nature’s flurry since the birth of this river.
Manoj Prabhugaonkar, an environmentalist and a meticulous observer of nature speaking with Goemkarponn, pointed out that the construction of the rail road and bypass road from Char Rasta to Mashem close to the river mouth of Galgibagha-Mashem river was the last straw on the back of these rivers and in just two years after the bypass road was built the effect and the devastation caused is for everyone to see he said.
Adding further, Prabhugaonkar informed that the river today is showing signs of what might come in future and warning us that we have messed too much with the river and it is time to course correct the wrongs done by mankind in the name of development.
The river started showing stress in its flow as a giant sand bar started forming after 80 mt of the Mashem river where it meets Galgibagha river was filled with soil some twenty years ago, alert locals realized the danger this will create and soon stopped the authorities from filling more portion of the river.
Inspite of the concerned locals and activists pointing out of devastating effects if this river filled portion is not removed, the PWD Highways officials went ahead and allowed the contractor to build the bridge without removing the reclaimed portion of the river.
“Today it’s for everyone to see, what we were warning of has come true, but it’s too late, the government has to take quick action; otherwise, the day is not far when most of the low lying areas on the bank of these two rivers will be eaten by the seawater which now directly hits the river bank up to one kilometre informed Matilda Dias, a resident from Mashem Tahrir area.
When this correspondent visited Galgibagha to assess the change in its course twice in just thirty days, a group of university students pursuing PhD with their guide were seen taking measurements with equipment of different parameters related to the speed of the water flow, salinity at different points and threat to the mangroves plants which are thriving on both the sides of the river bank.
The students informed that they have observed that the leaves of the mangrove trees near the mouth of the river have started turning yellow; it’s the first sign before they die, they informed.
“Salinity, as recorded by us at different locations of the river, is also on the higher side when compared to other rivers in Goa; these will lead to devastating effects in near future they opined.
“The speed of the water in the mangrove region is high; at this speed, the seeds of some of these trees will just flow in the open, and these species which are close to being extinct will be lost forever”, informed another student.
“We were supposed to conduct a second study after a gap of one month, but the way the river is changing every tide, we will come back after four days”, informed another student.
Keep Reading
Add A Comment