The Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar's announcement that plans are in the offing to increase the height of the Selaulim dam and also build 4-5 small dams across the State to conserve water resources to tide over the requirements in the next 20-30 years comes as a surprise to Goans. Shirodkar has assured that Goans will have enough water for the next three decades once the plans are put in place.
The question is whether raising the dam's height is a practical solution to the water problem or whether, in the bargain, it would cause more harm than good. The assumption that raising the dam's height will correspondingly increase water containment is far-fetched and not backed by a study on the possible impact on the surroundings, forest area, habitation and the dam itself.
Experts believe that raising the height of the dam could lead to flooding and submerging low-lying areas in the vicinity. Also, there has to be a study on the carrying and holding capacity of the existing dam. Lastly, there are various permissions to be obtained from the Centre, including forest and wildlife clearances.
Changes to the existing dam will have to be studied from the environmental and long-term socio-economic security point of view. We cannot have a situation where in an attempt to secure the water requirements of the State, people are forced out of their houses and rehabilitated. We have seen the flooding caused by the Tillari dam and the impact it had on the villages of Bardez, Pernem and Bicholim.
The government need not resort to such experiments at this stage; rather, it has to look at its resources. Start by cleansing the polluted rivers that figure in the national list. Shirodkar's idea of developing small water bodies, nullahs, springs and rivers and implementing the Centre's scheme for the development of 150 water bodies in Goa which includes 75 water bodies in each district, is a welcome step, and that's the way to go.
The government must strengthen the bhandaras, known as local water storages. Last year the WRD announced that the newly constructed bhandara-cum-footbridge on the Dudhsagar-Opa river at Dhulay helped add 1.5 lakh cubic metres of water to the Opa water storage facility. That's a sizeable contribution.
Goa is a rain surplus State, but no effort is being made to conserve and harvest rainwater. Around a decade back, Goa University developed a rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharging facility at its campus at Taleigao plateau, including rooftop rainwater harvesting and recharging. So why is this cost-effective option not taken forward?
The WRD minister's attempt to assuage sentiments ruffled by the recent developments on Mhadei is showing. However, the need of the hour is to show intent with confidence-building measures. Despite the many promises on water, Goa continues to be in a work-in-progress position till now.
The WRD minister must tread a cautious path on dams because it is beyond just water.
