HERALD, July 15, 2005 SALMONA SPRING AT SALIGAO FINALLY GETS ATTENTION FROM GOVT
Herald Reporters PANJIM, July 14: The struggle of the Saligao nature lovers to save the Salmona spring seems to be payng off, though belatedly, as a notification seeking to acquire the land has been issued. The notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act was issued by joint secretary, revenue today apparently after many villagers had given up hopes of getting any government decision seeking preservation of the area. Sources said the 2325 sq mt land is being proposed to be acquired for development of the Salmona spring. This includes the disputed structure put up by Harmalkar and the land around it totalling 660 sq mt. Official sources indicated that now notices will be issued to all the parties including Harmalkar who owns the land proposed to be acquired. "All of them will be heard" as per the provision in the law, official sources added. In order to preserve the land and the famous spring which has medical value and attracts migratory birds, the government as per the law , will have to compensate Harmalkar. The procedure under section 4 with hearings is likely to take another 2-3 months. Once this is completed, Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act will be issued before the sanad is declared. The villagers of Saligao, cutting across political party or religious lines, had been fighting to preserve the Salmona spring for the last six months. Following representations from the villagers, the Governor S C Jamir had visited the site during President's Rule. However, the construction work, which was on then, was not ordered to be stopped. Harmalkar was constructing a structure based on legal documents issued by the deputy collector, Mapusa.
