Tivrem-Orgao panchayat seeks heritage tag for well

Keri: Panchs of Tivrem-Orgao have requested the directorate of archaeology to visit the sacred well at Madapai and verify its antiquity.

The 300-year-old well is located just 500m away from the Khandola-Old Goa road via Gaundalim bridge, and has long been associated with a hallowed force. Neglect and lack of regular maintenance has resulted in it being covered by an overgrowth of plants, making it inaccessible to locals who visit it on only a few occasions each year to perform rituals that they hope will appease the water body’s guardian spirit.

TOI had reported about the decrepit condition of the well on Jan 12, prompting the Tivrem-Orgao panchayat to discuss the matter at its fortnightly meeting the following day. It was thereafter resolved that the panchayat would ask the directorate of archaeology to visit the well to verify its antiquity and to understand the archaeological and socio-cultural legacies associated with it.

Tivrem-Orgao sarpanch, Jayesh Naik, who had already visited the well and had earlier told TOI that it has been included in the People’s Biodiversity Register, said he has endorsed the biodiversity management committee’s decision for further action in the matter.