What the spring census tells about Goa

A central ministry's first census report on the critical water source flags an emerging threat in the small coastal stateThere is an emerging threat to the springs in Goa, with the first such census and mapping indicating a growing stress on these resources. According to the ‘First Spring Census Report’ by the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, 1,171 springs (excluding dried and hot springs) were analysed for their threat status in a survey of “resource threats to the springs”.“Out of these, 94.8% (1,110) of the springs are reported to have no resource threat, while 5.2% (61) are identified as having a threat. Among the springs where a threat was identified, 41% (25) exhibit a low degree of threat, 36.1% (22) exhibit moderate threat, and 23% (14) exhibit high threat levels,” the report reads.According to the ministry, springs are defined as natural discharge points of groundwater emerging at the surface. They are a critical water source in the mountainous regions of the country. The springs provide drinking water, domestic supply and livelihood support to a substantial number of people, especially in the Indian Himalayan Region, the Western Ghats (Sahyadri range), the Eastern Ghats and parts of Central India, including the Satpura and Vindhya ranges.As per the estimates of the working group constituted by the NITI Aayog in its report titled ‘Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security’ (2018), an estimated 15% (around 200 million) of the country’s population relies directly or indirectly on spring water to meet its water requirements. Goa is India’s smallest state by area, spread across around 3,702 sq km. Its population is 1,458,545 as per the 2011 Census of India. The state comprises three administrative districts—North Goa, South Goa and the newly-formed Kushavati.In the First Spring Census, 1,196 springs were enumerated in Goa, of which 93.4% (1,117) are in rural areas and 6.6% (79) in urban areas. These springs are widely distributed in the hilly and forested regions, particularly along the Western Ghats, and their foothill and upland catchments. Prominent spring occurrence is reported in districts such as South Goa (861) and North Goa (335), where high rainfall, lateritic formations, weathered and fractured aquifers, and rugged terrain favour the emergence of springs. In many rural communities, these springs are an important source of drinking water.In terms of flow type, 88.1% (1,054) of the springs are of seep type, while 11.9% (142) are free-flowing. Of the total enumerated springs, 92.4% (1,105) of the springs are perennial, 5.5% (66) are seasonal, and 2.1% (25) are reported as dried. With respect to ownership, 56.5% (662) of the springs are public, whereas 43.5% (509) are under private ownership.In the survey of spring dependency, usage and reliance patterns were analysed across three primary groups, i.e. residents, non-residents and wild animals. Of the total springs enumerated (excluding dried and hot springs), non-residents use 23.7% (277), while wild animals access 11.9% (139). Residents, who exhibit varying levels of dependency, use the remaining springs. Within the resident group, 38% (287) of the springs show a moderate level of dependency, 58% (438) show low dependency, and 4% (30) are reported to have high dependency.The 23rd Report (2022–23) of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources urged the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to take necessary measures for revival and sustainable management of springs in the mountainous regions of the country, where a significant population depends exclusively on spring water for drinking, domestic and agricultural needs.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends