A watershed moment for locals
Mineral Foundation of Goa Programme Manager Parag Rangnekar explained that environmental programmes, be it waste management, environment education or agriculture intervention, have become an integral part of MFG’s annual plan.
“For that matter, many of our social programmes also have an environmental angle and vice versa. One such programme is the Watershed Development Programme, where the emphasis is not only on soil and water conservation but also building social capital,” explains Rangnekar.
Rohidas Janu Velip from Mangal-Quepem, and president of the Mangal Panlot Sangh, said the MFG had oriented them to form a group in 2007.
“They helped us form a society called the Mangal Panlot Sangh and we selected a committee to carry out the society’s work.”
“The watershed project has benefited us in many ways. We dug trenches, sunk ponds and built check dams. We started getting enough water for our plantation.
We were able to expand our cultivation and improve our yield. We even started getting bigger and larger coconuts.”
“The ground water level has also increased. Wells and streams which dried in May now have enough water to last till the next season. We observed a positive change in the village since Mangal Panlot Sangh was formed. All the villagers are happy,” said a grateful Velip.
