ASSAGAO, March 31 -- ERWIN FONSECA

Springs and water bodies are vital for maintaining a village's ecological balance, supporting both flora and fauna. However, poor maintenance-especially of canals-can make them hazardous during the monsoons.

Despite frequent government discussions on disaster management, progress remains slow, often derailing just before the rainy season. This is evident in Assagao, where a local resident is striving to protect an age-old

spring-cum-nullah.

Patrick Rodrigues, a resident of Assagao, first approached the village panchayat in January 2024, regarding the deteriorating condition of an irrigation canal located behind his house.

Originating from a spring, the canal flows from Assagao to Anjuna and Arpora b...