Report to HC says it is practice to close gates of bhandaras from Nov to April to store water for irrigation
MARGAO
Farmers from Assolna has heaved a sigh of relief in their battle to save the Modleband water body as the Water Resources Department has pointed out that the it is a general practice followed by the local farmers for many years to close the gates of the bhandaras from November to April to store water for the purpose of irrigation.
Submitting its inspection report before the High Court, the WRD officials said the water is used by community of farmers at downstream side.
“Since there are fields on the downstream side which are cultivable which may require water for irrigation during the non-monsoon season, the proposal that the gate should be permanently kept open is not acceptable. It is a general practice followed by the local farmers for many years to close the gates of the bhandaras from November to April, to store water for irrigation purposes”, the report stated.
“In the present case, there is vast open paddy field which is being irrigated by two bhandaras. The first bhandara named ”Banda lake" is on the upstream constructed by the department is closed soon after the monsoon, i.e. (in November) and the water is stored in the upstream side.
The stored water is released by the farmers for irrigating their fields in the downstream. The return flow of irrigated water, the springs and other natural flows is again captured/blocked at Modleband. This stored water is used for irrigation of the downstream fields”, the report stated.
The report added: “From the inspection, it is seen that currently there is no risk or danger of any sliding of fields. After the desilting work was done in May 2024, there has been no damage or caving on of the fields. Nevertheless, in future, if there is any work required to check erosion, the same may be taken by the Department as per law."
