The Goa water resources department is constructing two open-type bandharas in Canacona to address water shortages, reduce salinity in freshwater sources and improve groundwater recharge before the dry season. Work is under way at Mushifond-Amonem in Poinguinim and Jaifond-Ponsulemoll in Cotigao.
The larger structure near Adarsh Gram at Mushifond-Amonem is designed to arrest the flow of river water and retain it along the riverbank. The stored water is expected to support groundwater recharge and improve availability for nearby agricultural land, including coconut and betel nut plantations.
Construction has also commenced at Jaifond-Ponsulemoll in Cotigao. The structures are intended to hold freshwater in the river system and prevent saline water from moving into freshwater sources. This is particularly relevant during the dry season, when lower freshwater flows can increase the risk of salinity affecting local water supplies and agricultural use.
The department’s work follows demands from farmers and residents after Goa recorded a 32% rainfall deficit this year, according to the report. Residents submitted a memorandum to the WRD office in Canacona seeking the construction of open-type bandharas to address recurring water shortages.
Officials had earlier announced plans to build around 100 new bandharas across Goa, taking the total number of such structures on rivers to about 500. The structures are intended to conserve water for summer and strengthen local water availability without relying only on rainfall during the monsoon.
The need is especially acute in parts of Canacona that face shortages even during years of normal rainfall. Tribal belts including Cotigao and Gaondongrim are located in areas with high elevation, which can make it difficult to retain and access water locally, the report said.
For farmers, improved groundwater levels could extend cultivation into the rabi season. The planned benefits include the cultivation of paddy, vegetables and chillies during the dry period, while additional retained water could support existing plantations along the riverbanks.
The bandharas are therefore being positioned as both water-conservation and agricultural-support infrastructure. Their effectiveness will depend on the amount of water retained, groundwater recharge and the protection of freshwater sources from salinity as the dry season progresses. The WRD’s ongoing construction at the two Canacona sites is the immediate next step.
