Delhi: It’s been three years since the work in iron ore mines of Goa, considered to be the economic powerhouse of the State, shut down. However, the water from the special ponds built near these mines is changing the fortunes of the farmers.
Farmers and villagers who used to struggle for water in May and June for years are now growing two to three crops from this water. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Goa on 19th of December, and he’s likely to announce a scheme for the farmers which will enable year round supply of irrigation water.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also said that an ‘Operation Revolution’ will be launched to bring water from the pits of the closed mines to the villages. It will be the first and one of its kind project in the country that will run on such a large scale. He added that the mines have been closed for many years, but water has been accumulating in their pits, which will benefit thousands of farmers.
Major mine owners in Goa such as Salgaokar, Chowgule and Vedanta Sesa Goa still make such arrangements in their mines. So much so that when the water in the dams gets low in summer, they maintain its water level by providing water into it.
This is despite the fact that a complete ban on mining has been imposed in Goa since 2018.
This year there’s been a lot of rain, so the water accumulated in the pits of the mines is being used for farming.
Earlier, in Velge village farmers had to walk five kilometers to get water from the river. Hearing about this problem, Salgaokars and the Mineral Foundation of Goa (MFG) surveyed this village, and based on that survey they arranged to supply water from these pits to the village. Now this village remains green throughout the year and farmers are also able to enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Similarly, in Pali village the Chowgule mine owners inquired the farmers about their needs and then arranged to supply water from pits to reach the village and the farm. Now, every field in the village is getting water.
Income from mining accounted for about 20 percent of Goa’s GDP. Though, after the ban was imposed on mining, the economy of Goa started to go in shambles. Despite that the original mine owners have continued to maintain the mines and support the local communities. Today, everyone wants that mining should be resumed so that Goa can be revived from the economic crisis.
