About River Sal

River Sal, or the Sal River, is a small river located in the Salcete Taluka, District of South Goa,  State of Goa [1],  India. The river opens near Margao,  Kharea-bandh, and passes through the villages of Benaulim,  Navelim,  Varca,  Orlim,  Carmona, Dramapur,  Chinchinim,  Assolna,  Cavelossim-Mobor, and drains itself into the Arabian Sea at Betul,  Goa.

The local Villagers here have been fighting to save the river from dredging. And, of late, to save its aquatic life from the adverse effects of pollution subsequent to proliferation of mega-housing projects in the area. Reportedly, the river is experiencing a Slow Death [2] and, therefore, on the verge of utter destruction [3] As such, “Mounting public alarm over mega-housing projects in the proximity of the River Sal disrupting the ecological balance or eco-systemic harmonious relationship in its vicinity demands effective intervention for its Ecological Protection”- JSFMartins.[4]

River Sal is stated to be the Mississippi of Salcete Taluka in Goa. The Salcete taluka with about 300 km2 area is intimately linked to the well being of its only river basin, the geologically special and ecologically fragile River Sal basin. River Sal is the third largest river (35 km) in the State of Goa with the third largest basin (301 km2). Although its catchment area and runoff (700 million cubic metres per year) is one third of the Zuari river, it has not received even one third of the attention which both Mandovi and Zuari rivers have received. The Sal River is a geological and hydrological oddity: it is the only river that follows a north—south direction (from Margao to Betul) before meeting the Arabian Sea at Betul” [5].

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