PANAJI
As many as 172 bundhs protecting khazan lands and their unique ecosystems are being surveyed and monitored by the soil conservation section, the Goa legislative assembly was told by Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.
Nearly 50 of these bundhs, crucial to prevent saline water intrusion into the cultivable khazan lands, are damaged, Monserrate said, adding that some of these have been taken up for repairs while in other cases, estimates are being prepared or approved.
The minister's reply in writing to an unstarred query tabled by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Venzy Viegas also said that in most of the cases where the bundhs are damaged, it was the tenants association which is responsible for the damage due to failure in implementing routine maintenance.
Tiswadi taluka accounted for as many as 41 of these bundhs surveyed or monitored by the Revenue department, followed by 40 in Bardez.
Bicholim has 27 bundhs being monitored, Pernem (15), Salcete (27), Ponda (5), Mormugao (one) and Canacona (15), Monserrate's reply states.
These bundhs cost between Rs 2-odd lakhs and the whopping Rs 36-odd crore that the bundh at Carambolim is estimated to cost, Monserrate said, adding that repairs of some of these have already been taken up while the process of estimates getting approval from the finance department and tendering the work is in different stages of progress.
Damage to bundhs and ingress of saline water in khazans is the prime reason behind farmers across Goa leaving their fields fallow.
