Call to give Curca spring kiss of life grows louder.

The Curca spring lies like an unprotected monument, in ruins.

PANAJI: Neglect of Goa’s best constructed spring, Curca spring has saddened some villagers and others and pleas for the conservation of the pre-Portuguese site are gaining tempo with former director of archives and archaeology, P P Shirodkar pitching for its protection.

TNN | Sep 19, 2015, 02.00 AM IST

The site of the Curca spring has been swamped by overgrowth, and the ruin of an edifice within which the spring flows is slowly crumbling due to neglect on the southern face of the hill.

“The spring should be protected as it is the most beautiful fountain in entire Goa,” Shirodkar told TOI on Friday.

Ivar Fjeld, Manguesh Kuttikar and P.P Shirodkar.

A few heritage lovers from Curca have been lobbying for the protection of the site and restoration of the spring. “In 2010, a gram sabha of Curca panchayat had demanded the restoration of the spring,” said Manguesh Kuttikar, a villager.

Kuttikar and Ivar Fjeld, a Norwegian journalist and researcher of Goa’s pre-Portuguese history, discussed the issue of Curca spring with Shirodkar on Thursday.

Shirodkar had recommended the restoration of the Curca spring in 1993. “The tourism department had offered to restore the spring, provided sufficient funds were made available. But, unfortunately, the financial provision was not taken care of,” Shirodkar said.

The site of the spring also has some archaeological remains – possibly dating back to 13th century, but it is lying unprotected and in ruins, though heritage lovers find merit for its inclusion in the list of protected monuments and heritage sites.

The tourism department has restored a few springs – specially the ones at Boca de Vaca and Pomburpa, but the beautification is only temporary and the rot sets in after hardly two to three years later due to neglect and lack of maintenance.

“We have no reason to believe that the present owners will oppose the restoration. Members of the Ghanekar family are well known for their social work for the benefit of others,” Shirodkar said.

The site can be covered into a tourism spot and a plan for it was already drawn in 1993. “This is both a matter of developing heritage tourism and providing jobs for the locals,” Kuttikar said.

Agreed Fjeld, “A restored Curca spring can become a real tourist attraction particular for foreigners.”

Source: The Times of India