I refer to the advertisement appearing in the Herald dated August 15 highlighting the Mission to rejunevate (or is it rejuvenate?) 150 traditional lakes in the State of Goa through the Amrit Sarovar Mission.
The Amrit Sarovar water conservation mission has been launched to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district in all States of India as part of the celebrations of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. At least 50,000 water bodies are expected to be rejuvenated across the country during the nationwide programme that would culminate on August 15, 2023.
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The massive water conservation mission would involve massive excavation of earth in the form of soil or silt. Has the Ministry of Rural Development told the Ministry of Railways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI )to map its infrastructure projects with the Amrit Sarovar sites in all States and Union Territories? Have these authorities also been told to use the soil excavated from ponds/tanks in all districts across the country under the Amrit Sarovar mission for their infrastructure projects? Are these Authorities required to identify the nearest sites of Amrit Sarovar to their ongoing projects, study the suitability of the soil and submit a feasibility report at the earliest? Or are the State Governments required to prepare soil feasibility reports on their behalf to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district?
The water crisis that has emerged in Goa is mainly as a result of population growth due to uncontrolled migration, rapid urbanisation, unforeseen industrial and other large -scale projects and environmental degradation. These man-made factors have contributed to increasing water shortages, intensifying flood hazards, progressive groundwater contamination and pollution of rivers and water bodies.
Serious attempts are being made to convert the entire rural-urban State of Goa into an urban/metropolitan city for promoting so-called sustainable integrated development plans with vague rain water harvesting structures. The traditional structures of the State of Goa have often remained neglected due to absence of maintenance mechanisms and lack of interest to undertake agricultural or horticultural activities.
The water conservation action plans should be supported by a clear long term State water policy providing guidelines for protection and revival of traditional water conservation structures. There should also be a climate-resilient agriculture development policy. This must happen so that the identified projects in all talukas of Goa can be implemented over a period of time through sustainable land-use planning initiatives.
Is the Amrit Sarovar mission in Goa for protecting water bodies/lakes with a clear and well-defined agriculture development and water-use policies? Or is the mission linked to the rapid urbanisation of Goa through unsustainable multi-modal transportation hubs and urban townships required for the survival of the Mopa airport?
