Farmers of Voddlem Tollem supervising the closure of the sluice gate on Tuesday. Pic Santosh Mirajkar.
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: Benaulim farmers on Tuesday carried out an annual ritual what has been handed down the generations by their ancestors – closure of the sluice gate at the Voddlem tollem.
Led by elderly farmer, John Barretto, the sluice gate was closed by the farmers, which would facilitate them to irrigate the fields located on the other side in the coming season.
John Barretto told The Goan that the closure of the sluice gate of the Voddem tollem is a heritage left behind by their ancestors, which has been instrumental in keeping alive the agriculture.
“The closure of the sluice gate not only helps to store water for irrigation of the fields, it also helps to recharge the ground water. In a way this is an example of rain water harvesting”, he said.
To a question, Barretto said the sluice gate will remain closed till March next year. “We do not allow pumping of water from the water body. The Association will auction the fishing rights later this month. But, they cannot pump out the water from the water body”, he said.
He said the Association will take up with the authorities to clear the way for the water to enter the water body. “We have noticed that the water movement into the water body is not taking place in a smooth manner. Our next agenda now is to get the water way cleared of the blockages for smooth water flow”, he added.
