Farmers from Cuncolim, Ambaulim and Akamol are worried because the waters from Salaulim dam are not being released into the canals. The farmers are desperate to start farming but are unable to do so. Many of these farmers use their land to grow chillies but due to the absence of water, they are hindered. Authorities were due to release the dam water by the end of November but now, 15 days of December have passed and there’s still no respite. WRD officer however, claim that water will be released soon.
WRD sources also claimed that there is a shortage of water due to less rainfall and that they have observed that plenty of water gets wasted in the area. Therefore, they claim that they are saving water. The waters from the dam have reached Quepem but due to the less quantity and low pressure, it will take a while before it reaches Ambaulim and Cuncolim.
Antonio Carvalho, farmer has said that they are all set to begin cultivation but there is no water in the canals. “We should have, in fact by now finished cultivation already,” he mentioned.
They are also worried about the fact that even if the WRD releases water to start their cultivation, there is no guarantee that they will get a continuous supply and question WRD authorities on the availability of water in the area and if it will be available once cultivation begins.
The paucity of water also affects the flora in the area. The water table was severely affected and hence trees suffered. Wells and rivulets are running dry.
Farmer and villagers in Cuncolim are holding the WRD solely responsible for this problem. Cuncolim normally has a rich irrigation system in place. There are 12 bandharas on various rivers and rivulets which have been constructed by locals. Since some farmers have quit their profession, no one has bothered to build these structures due to which the level of water has severely reduced.
To make matters worse, the WRD has constructed embankments and retaining walls on many rivulets. Farmers and environment experts claim that due to these concrete structures, underground springs are blocked due to which water isn’t restored on land.
The farmers are demanding the construction of major bandharas at Pairabandh, Nayabandh, Modiyabandh, Dhotrabandh, Joglabandh and other places so that the village receives a good supply for cultivation and so that it can sustain flora.
Some farmer volunteered themselves to construct these bandharas. Uskinibandh has been constructed by local farmer using traditional methods and no concrete even as some farmers call out for a stoppage in the use of concrete to construct these structures.
