Goa, with 3702 sq.km area is one of the beautiful states on the west coast region of India. There are some features which land the landscape and scenery of Goa’s distinctive charm of their own. As a substantial part of the state belongs to the basaltic outflows of the Deccan lavas, it has accordingly the typical landforms consisting of flat-topped summit levels with terraced flanks and wide opening valley courses with sides rising more as a succession of steps. Behind a coastline of glorious palm-fringed beaches, interrupted now and then by thrusting rocky headlands, low rolling hills encircle basins of rich green paddy-fields faced by wide slow-flowing waterways.
Goa possesses not a long and chequered history but as also been liberally showered with nature’s bounties. On account of its significance as a commercial enter pot and its association with the heroes of Hindu mythology, Goa is believed to have been well known to the rest of the Indian sub-continent and to the outside world since time immemorial by various names like Gopakpattan, Gomant, Govapuri, Gouba, Gove, Gomantak.
Rivers are the cradle of the civilization. From time immemorial great cultures have flourished only by entering into a sustainable and harmonious contract with the rivers on the banks of which their foundations were laid down. Just as the Sapta Sindhu rivers had played a very significant role in the growth and development of the rich and varied culture of India, in the same way, the eleven prominent rivers are sustaining the Goan Eco-systems, besides adding beauty and romance to the land. From the Early Stone Age, the Goan river basin sustained, the earliest forms of human habitation. The discovery of rare Stone Age carving in Kevan-Dhadole in Rivan of Sanguem, Mauxi in Sattari and Cazur in Quepem has brought Goa on the map of rock art in India. This exciting site lies on the bank of Kushavati river. From the period of Satvahanas, Chalukyas of Badami, Bhojas Kshatrapas and Abhiras, Traikutas of Konkan, Kalachuris, Mauryas of Konkan, Shilaharas, Kadambas………. the Goan rivers have encouraged the development of civilization. Goa’s seven river basins are the important as they have nurtured the unique ecological and cultural heritage of this lush green land. The discovery of massive and deeply layered richly textured and brittle plant megafossils in the banks of the river Mhadei in Khotode of Sattari has shown the existence of prehistoric origin, Petrified Forest, deeply rooted in the hoary past.
Due to the extent of their drainage areas and the human attraction they hold, these main eleven rivers and their 42 tributaries are significant. These rivers are not only the source of potable water but they support also the Gaon eco-systems. The surface water system of Goa is intimately linked up to their eco-development since they provide irrigational facilities to agriculture, produces biotic and mineral resources, transport ore from the mining areas to the port and ferries men and goods to different parts of the state.
Goa occupies a narrow strip of land with 105km from North to south and 65km from east to west has unique scenic beauty together with rich cultural and aesthetic heritage and has emerged as a major centre both for domestic and international tourism. With 359 villages and 14 municipal towns, Goa is drained by eleven rivers. The Mhadei or the Mandovi originating in Degao near Khanapur and the Zuari in the Dighi ghat of Karnataka are the major rivers along with the Colval, the Terekhol, the Baga, the Sal, the Saleri, the Talpon, the Galjibag rivers. The Mandre and the Harmal rivers from Perne are today on the verge of extinction.
Karnataka since last three decades is very keen to build dams on the various tributaries of the river Mhadei originating from Karnataka, sometimes for generating hydroelectricity or making use of the water for irrigation purpose. However, recently, in September 2006, Karnataka Government repeatedly making the claims of drinking water paucity for Hubli and Dharwad, has unilaterally gone ahead by excavating canals at Kankumbi for Kalasa- Bhandura Projects which aim to divert 7.56 TMC feet of water in the Malaprabha basin. The government of Goa has already raised strong objection to all the proposals of damming and diverting tributaries of Mhadei on the economical, ecological and environmental ground and especially from the point of view of tiny state’s water security and ecological security. When all the attempts to arrive amicable solution proved futile and Karnataka became adamant to go ahead with the plans, Goa has approached the Supreme Court of India for justice and is awaiting its final verdict.
Karnataka has the grand plan to divert a total of 225 MCM from Mhadei to Malaprabha basin and additional 112 MCM from Khandepar River which is popular for the scenic Dudhsagar waterfall to Supa reservoir in Kali basin. Thus, the thirst for water of Karnataka cannot be quenched with Kalasa – Bandhra project but will be increased gradually.
The Mandovi river basin in Goa occupies 43 % of State’s geographical area with 192 villages of Sattari, Sanguem, Bicholim, Tiswadi, Bardez and Ponda with cultivable land to an extent of 91072 ha. The Mhadei along with others is the most important tributaries of the Mandovi which originate in Degao near Khanapur. At Nerse village where Singer, Pat and Bandhura three main tributaries join together, Karnataka has proposed an earthen dam for which 244 ha. of forest land will be submerged due to the reservoir and the diversion channel also will involve the non- forest use of 16 ha. of forest land. As per the observations made by the DCF, Karnataka the proposed dam site of Bhandura is located among the most luxurious and scenic moist, deciduous and semi-evergreen patches of forest frequented by wildlife. The Bhandura nalla is one of the perennial streams which joins the Mhadei at Kongla and then enter Goa via Gavali- Krishnapur at Bondir along with the Panshira of Mendil. Near Dhave- Uste, the Kalasa stream which joins the Mhadei. At Dhave –Uste, Sonal on the banks of Mhadei locals still practice the traditional silt based cultivation called ‘puran sheti’ which is believed to give three times more yield than other types of agriculture.
Rivers in Goa are respected as the representation of goddess and hence they have never polluted extinction. There are various festivals, fairs are associated with the rivers. During the fifth month of the Hindu calendar Shravan, a big fair of Ashtam is held on the right bank of the Mandovi where devotees believe in the confluence of the five rivers called Panchganga. The Khandepar, the Bicholim, the Valvont, the Mhadei and the Zuari through the Cumbharjua canal are believed to join together. This place is considered to be the holiest and devotees throng in large numbers to perform various rituals to appease the departed soul annually at Narve in Bicholim.
During the bygone days, a river was a mean of transport; navigation had helped trade and commerce. Today, through villages and islands are connected by road and bridges, in past they were isolated from each other and by making use of country canoes people were visiting these areas. The Portuguese when established their domain first in Salcete, Bardez and Tiswadi, they put several restrictions on the people of these territories. They discouraged the new converts from visiting their relatives in the New Conquest territories. For marriage ceremonies, though they were prevented to go, they made attempts to attend it.
During the ancient period, through the rivers, various goods and commodities were taken from the source to the port. Fuel and timber woods were taken without boat by floating on the river water. Dried fishes, salt and other commodities from Ganje of Ponda were taken to the Ghats region through the boats and then afterwards through the bullock carts or packed animals. The stone sculptures of Mahishasurmardini and mother goddesses are found in areas of Sattari depicted in the boat indicate the importance of rivers as the medium of navigation.
For thousands of years, the first settlers in Goa lived on fishes which were plentifully available. The inland fisheries in estuaries and rivers are our hope. The fishes like Malayo, Dekhalo, Pittol, Khavalo, Danay, Walay and other local species were available in the sweet water rivers.
It is said that wars in the twenty-first century will be will be fought over ownership and sharing of freshwater resources. Many states in our country are fighting disputes over water. Hence, now it is the need of the hour for our tiny state to have appropriate water conservation policy and also to make the best of the surplus water resources. As the rivers are the main source of the fresh water, we have to plan a strategy to conserve and protect the unique ecological, cultural heritage of Goa’s river basins and the sustainable economic activities dependent upon them and their life support systems. Various illegal and detrimental activities in the riverine areas are increasing. The haphazard and unregulated growth of alluvial sand mining has exerted ill effects on ecology and has already disturbed the river eco-system. The traditional fishermen and shell-fish exploiters have borne the brunt. Increase in the depth of the river has disturbed the sediment budget. Use of the explosives for the fish-catch has not only harmed the biotic but also abiotic resources of the rivers. Most of all the Goan rivers today are facing a lot of problems.
The colonial mentality produced consumer – culture, resulting in the felling of forests causing a landslide and destroying nature’s capacity to conserve water. This consumer – culture led to the erosion of natural sources of livelihood resulting into the loss of humane – sensitivity which has made the crisis of nature and ecology more complicated. The new understanding of science is to develop a harmonious relationship with nature while showing due respect to its dignity. To maintain the natural balance and equilibrium, it is essential to keep in mind, preservation of other creatures – like birds, animals, trees, etc.
They provides the maximum quantity of fresh water and supports life and above all, makes life possible for all living things by supplying with fresh water. They are the arteries of the watershed, which supplies the nutrients necessary for the body to survive. The rivers when flows in the natural course, benefits all irrespective of caste, creed and colour, wealth or poverty; but as soon as they are dammed they lose socialistic character.
