Historic Spring Faces Demolition Due to Unchecked Development

The historic Fonte de Santo Antoino spring in Old Goa, lauded by 17th-century French traveler François Pyrard de Laval, is facing severe threats from unregulated development. An unauthorized 105-meter retaining wall has been constructed in a deep valley near the spring, raising concerns about potential landslides and ecological damage. This illegal activity, identified by the Old Goa panchayat, also led to the choking of a nearby stream with mud, further degrading the area.

The spring, once a critical water source for Old Goa city supplied by slaves, is now difficult to access due to blocked pathways and overgrowth. Developers have also dug up a western slope near the spring, exacerbating runoff issues. Experts warn that multi-dwelling units with inadequate septic systems pose a serious pollution risk, with sewage potentially seeping into the groundwater that feeds the spring.

Heritage enthusiasts advocate for the spring's preservation, highlighting its potential to enhance Old Goa's tourism profile with minimal investment. They stress the urgent need for high-resolution mapping of watershed areas and integration into statutory planning maps to protect such fragile hydrological assets. Architects have previously noted that extensive earth movement for infrastructure has altered Old Goa's hydrology, increasing water flow into core areas, a situation that requires immediate remedial measures.