HARVESTING THE RAIN

 

Cover image: A farmer in Ambaulim-Kepem, not very far from my residence.

"After allowing the first flush of rain-water (which contains dust and bird droppings) to run to waste, one can collect water in buckets and use it to flush toilets, wash laundry, etc. This way, we can save a lot of water throughout the monsoon season. All it calls for is a small effort on our part." - My 2012 interview with ANTONIO P. DINIZ, retired Town Planner, TCP Department, Govt. of Goa. [GT Weekender dated July 8, 2012.]

Come June, and every year the fields and the forests of Goa wait patiently for the monsoon clouds to gather and the skies to open. Stifling heat, dust and sweat makes way for the relief of the rain-drops and all at once, the earth around us is green and ‘born again’! While it is true that Goa experienced lashing spells of ‘pouring rain’ for a couple of days, throwing normal life in a tizzy, the sun is back on the scene, making ‘guest appearances’ almost on a regular basis. If such ‘unusual patterns’ continue, this could have an adverse impact on the crops in the days to come.

WALTER MENEZES (WM) : Some wonder if Goa too is experiencing the early signs of global warming. In a land full of flowing rivers and streams and a coastline hugged by the Arabian Sea, has the time come for Goans to take note of the ‘changes’ taking place

DINIZ: I would not say no. You may be right in posing such a question. If we look at the pace and the type of development that is taking place in the coastal region and the hills of Western region, a hinterland, without giving any thought to environment, such activities may add substantially to global warming.

WM: So what is the way out?

DINIZ: If we don’t apply our planning thought for sustainable and balanced environment, it would become difficult to man the situation, once it goes out of control. The midlands of  Goa are available for planned development but instead of that, development is concentrated in coastal region for tourism and hinterland  for mining purpose.

WM: Some years ago, a policy on roof-top rainwater harvesting was adopted by the previous Goa Government. Do you think this is a solution to the water crisis which Goa may face in the foreseeable future if rains start playing truant?

DINIZ: With incentives attached, many Goans will probably take advantage of the scheme, if the same is revived by the present Parrikar Government. But while we wait for that to happen, I feel we must seriously take a look at our age-old system of lakes, which is more beneficial than the individual scheme as mooted by the earlier Government.

WM: Why lakes?

DINIZ: Let me explain. Those of us who are no longer young will recall that every village in Goa had a lake for storage of water of south easterly monsoon. The water of these lakes was used for irrigation purposes in the down-stream areas and villagers were happy to harvest the three-dimensional uses of (a) ‘rabbi crop’ (b) seasonal fish catch and (c) ground water recharge, which went un-noticed. Different types of migratory birds also used to frequent the areas in and around the lakes.

WM: Can you name a few of the places where we had these lakes?

DINIZ: Carambolim, Santa Cruz, Taleigao, Verna, Majorda, Arrosim,  Benaulim, Velim, Quepem, Cacora, etc...all such places boasted of a lake-system. In Margao, there were two lakes in a line, starting from Fatorda and running down west. The mechanism was that the first lake was charged at Fatorda first and with this water the other one was charged, which favoured irrigation and other related benefits as specified. The areas also used to remain clean as compared today.

WM: What multiple uses did these lakes serve?

DINIZ: This irrigation tank system used to supply water for irrigation of ‘rabbi crops’ which was a boon for agricultural sector. Secondly, this system used to recharge the ground water, where the major population used to have water-wells for human consumption. We don’t find these wells in use anymore, because we are more dependent on the protected water supplied by PWD (PHE) for our daily needs. But those were the days when the lake would beckon the bokem (crane) and a host of other migratory birds. And even in early February, it was always a pleasure driving through the villages with green carpets of paddy fields seen everywhere. And yes, these fields would turn into golden colour in April when they were ready for harvesting.

Pic: A view of the mountains and the gathering clouds from the Quitol plateau.

WM: Do you think this age-old system needs to be revived and restored?

DINIZ: Yes, very much.

WM: Any suggestions which come to your mind immediately?

DINIZ: The government, through its wings, such as the Water Resources Department (WRD), can entrust the responsibility to Zilla Parishad or Village Panchayat, which are local authorities, provided necessary funds are made available to them. For this purpose, a mechanism has to be worked out.

WM: As an individual keen to do my bit to harvest the rain, can you offer a few tips?

DINIZ: After allowing the first flush of rain-water (which contains dust and bird droppings) to run to waste, one can collect water in buckets and use it to flush toilets, wash laundry, etc. This way, we can save a lot of water throughout the monsoon season. All it calls for is a small effort on our part. However, if we go in for a ‘rainwater harvesting unit’, this may not be cost-effective since it is limited to monsoon seasons only. Care should also be taken to prevent mosquito breeding, foul smell of contaminated water, etc.

WM: Your parting words...

DINIZ: Water is precious. Let us save water in whatever ways we can and save life.

Addendum:

Work in progress | At the instance of the Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, who is also the TCP and Agriculture Minister, the work of reinforcing the bund (embankment) of Ambaulim lake in Kepem, through the office of the PWD, is presently at completion stage. Once completed, the villagers will be able to use the lake for irrigation purpose and also breeding of fish as a cash crop. Besides, the retaining wall of the bund will serve as a link road between Kepem and Ambaulim, thereby considerably shortening the distance between the two places.

#This interview has been slightly edited now.