Team Herald
MARGAO: The farmers of Assolna have achieved a major breakthrough in their efforts to safeguard the Modleband water body, as the Water Resources Department (WRD) has defended the time-tested practice of closing bhandara gates during the non-monsoon months. In an inspection report submitted to the High Court, the WRD highlighted that this tradition, followed for many years, is essential for storing water to support agricultural activities in the region.
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The report stressed the importance of this practice for the farming community downstream. “Fields downstream are cultivable and depend on this water for irrigation during the non-monsoon season,” the WRD officials noted. “Thus, any proposal to keep the gates permanently open is not acceptable. Local farmers have traditionally closed the gates of the bhandaras from November to April to ensure water availability for irrigation.”
Providing detailed insights into the irrigation system, the WRD explained that two key bhandaras play a role in supporting the local paddy fields. The upstream bhandara, known as ‘Banda Lake’, is constructed by the department and is closed soon after the monsoon, typically in November, to retain water. This stored water is gradually released by farmers to irrigate their fields. The overflow, along with water from springs and other natural flows, is collected again at Modleband to irrigate additional downstream fields.
“This system allows for efficient use of water resources and ensures that the needs of the farmers are met throughout the dry season,” the report stated. The WRD also clarified that the process has been effective in maintaining irrigation for vast stretches of paddy fields without any adverse impact on the surrounding environment.
Addressing concerns about potential field damage or erosion near Modleband, the department confirmed that no risks were observed during its inspection. “Since the desilting work was completed in May 2024, there has been no caving in or damage to the fields,” the report stated. “If any measures are required in the future to prevent erosion, the department will undertake them as per legal procedures.”
The department’s findings have brought a sense of relief to the Assolna farming community, which relies heavily on this irrigation system for their livelihoods. The WRD’s report has not only validated their long-standing practices but also reaffirmed the importance of Modleband as a vital resource for sustaining agriculture in the area.
