s per the Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973) the definition of “‘canal” under clause 2(f) includes all mechanical and electrical appliances tools and plants and structures, installed or constructed, maintained or controlled by the Government for lifting water.
The main structural components on lift irrigation systems are (i) intake structure, (ii) intake pipe, (iii) jack well/pump well, (iv) pump house, (v) rising main and accessories, (vi) delivery chamber, (vii) distribution chamber, and (viii) on-farm water distribution system.
The Goa Command Area Development Act, 1997 (Goa Act No. 27 of 1997) [8-9-1997] was AN ACT to provide for accelerated increase in agricultural and allied production in the State of Goa, through a programme of comprehensive and systematic development of command areas on scientific and modern lines, comprising measures for optimum use of land and water, prevention of land erosion and water logging, improvement of soil fertility and regulation of cropping pattern, and for proper maintenance and upkeep of irrigation systems in the State of Goa for ensuring maximum benefits to the cultivators under the command areas and for matters connected therewith.
As per the Goa Command Area Development Act, 1997 (Goa Act No. 27 of 1997) [8-9-1997],the definition of “distribution system” under clause (8) includes:— (a) all main canals, branch distributories, minor canals and water courses constructed for the supply and distribution of water for irrigation; (b) all works, structures and appliances connected with the distribution of water for irrigation; and (c) all field channels and farm channels and related structures under a pipe outlet.
The Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973) AN ACT was notified to make provision for the construction, maintenance and Regulations of Canals, for the Supply of Water therefrom, obtaining labour in emergencies and for the levy of rates for water so supplied and certain other matters pertaining to Irrigation in the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.
Further as per the definitions given in The Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973) act “bandhara” means any structure, permanent or otherwise, constructed or maintained for the purpose of impounding or diverting water of any river, stream, lake or any natural collection of water, and includes any weirs, sluices, head walls, groins or any other works connected with such bandharas.
What are the on farm distribution systems adopted for the lift irrigation schemes on the Mhadei River and its tributaries (for supporting construction of massive Kolhapur type Bandharas ) to benefit local farming communities ? Or are the lift irrigation systems on the Mhadei River and its tributaries (for supporting construction of massive Kolhapur type Bandharas) without any on-farm distribution systems for the local farming community?
Are the lift irrigation projects on the banks of Mhadei River and its tributaries for supporting unsustainable Agro-business and Industrial projects and hidden townships in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats with massive Kolhapur type Bandharas? Are these development plans linked to creating a hypothetical region near the Goa boundary ? Are there any canal irrigation systems for the massive Massive Kolhapur-type Bandharas that were allowed to be constructed in the lower reaches of the Mhadei River basin mainly during the period 2001-2005 ?
In July 2002 ,the State of Goa made a request under Section 3 of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act,1956 (as amended) for constitution of the Tribunal under the said Act and refer the matter for adjudication and decision of dispute relating to Mandovi River. The Tribunal submitted its report u/s 5(2) of the Act to the Central Government on 14.08.2018. Also, in August 2018, the NGT bench had rejected the application of Federation of Rainbow Warriors challenging the grant of environmental clearance for the Mopa Greenfield Airport .
The tiny state of Goa does not need two airports. In the Terms of Reference (refer page 24 of 115) of Mopa Airport technical consultancy bid document (September 2010) to prepare the project master plan and preliminary project report, it is clearly stated that Belgaum, Hubli, Karwar and Dharwad are in Goa. It is further mentioned in the Terms of Reference of the September 2010 bid document that location of Mopa is suitable for the large-scale project that Goa wishes to launch for benefiting towns and cities such as Sangli, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Kolhapur in Maharashtra.
There is an urgent need to reject Detailed Project Reports that shows layout plans of massive river diversion dams and the 32 Bandharas /lift irrigation projects /pumped storage dams in the upper reaches of the Mhadei River (which have actually not been built so far) for promoting Mhadei River development project. Can we allow such projects by destroying the biodiversity of the eco-sensitive Western Ghats to support unsustainable hidden industrial development plans of Karnataka with hidden cargo transportation connectivity to Manohar International Airport at Mopa?
