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Bhavnath Temple Case Study...

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Bhavnath Temple Case Executive Summary: This case is about building earthen dam across Lokmata and Sadmata rivers in the northern part of Gujrat. Initially government planned to keep reservoir capacity at reduced level to impound 4700 million cu.ft. water. They also planned to protect Bhavnath temple by providing several safeguards and an all-weather access for public. Before the formulation of final proposal, it was felt that by increasing reservoir capacity to 5700 million cu.ft., the irrigation potential could be spread to a larger area. In that case the temple can be shifted to some other place because its submergence is inevitable. But the second proposal was not found to be acceptable by the villagers and government started facing resistance in the construction of dam. Solution: Government should go with first proposal of building dam along with taking measures to protect the temple. It will safeguard the religious sentiments of people along with ensuring socio-economic development of the area. It will also maintain government’s credibility. Situation analysis: Govt. has decided to build a reservoir across two rivers in the northern part of the Gujarat. There were two proposals for the construction of the dam. The first proposal was to build dam with the reduced capacity of reservoir. The second proposal of higher reservoir capacity having more irrigation potential and economic benefit with a marginal increase in cost. Implementation of any of the plan would result in submergence of Bhavnath temple. In first proposal, however, government promised to save the temple by providing several safeguards. To which the public also agreed. In case second proposal is adopted, the submergence of temple is inevitable and the only way out is the shifting of temple deities to other suitable location. This was not found suitable by the public. Government was inclined to go with second proposal but they met with adamant opposition by the public. Statement of objective: Construction of dam for socio-economic development of the area keeping in view the religious sentiments of the people. Problem statement: Whether to take decision which is solely based on socio-economic development of larger population or to consider religious sentiments of people along. Criteria for decision making: 1. To increase irrigation potential for the area 2. Construction of dam with minimal delay 3. To safeguard religious sentiments of the public

Bhavnath Temple Case 4. To maintain government’s credibility Alternatives: 1. First proposal: To keep reservoir capacity at 4700 million cu ft. which will benefit 92000 acres of land with the cost of Rs. 1.7 crore. Villagers agreed to the proposal when it is ensured that the temple will not be harmed. 2. Second proposal: To keep reservoir capacity at 5700 million cu ft. which will benefit proportionately larger irrigation land, provide better economic growth and higher revenue. The additional cost is just Rs. 0.2 crore. But the government is facing adamant opposition from villagers for shifting temple deities to another location. 3. To shift the project to another location/site Evaluation of alternatives: 1. First proposal: It satisfies all the for criteria for decision making. As there is no persuasion of villagers involved, the plan can be implemented without any further delay. There will be no loss of revenue to the families dependent on the income generated through the temple and annual fair. 2. Second proposal: In this proposal the benefit to cost ratio is higher as compared to first proposal but shifting of temple deities would hurt religious sentiments of villagers. The persuasion may also consume quite huge amount of time so the project may take years to start. This plan satisfies only one of the criteria that is increasing irrigation potential of the area. 3. To shift the project to another location/site: The Government could shift the project to some other suitable location/site where there is no such issue. But this will further delay the project as it is a tedious and time-consuming process to reinitiate all the project related activities. Choice of alternative: The government should go with first proposal. The project will start as early as possible and people will start getting its benefits on time. Besides, Government could develop Bhavnath temple as a unique tourist destination in the vicinity of dam. This will also generate employment for the displaced population and also generate revenue for the Government.

Bhavnath Temple Case Implementation of the plan: 1. Relocated population will be provided with new home and new source of livelihood. 2. Relocated population will also be given exclusive rights of the tourism related activities at & around the temple and dam site. 3. Relocated population will be given electricity for free or at cheaper rates. 4. Government will keep a provision of increasing reservoir capacity. Not by increasing the height but the depth from bottom of the reservoir. Contingency plan: Once the public start appreciating the impact of dam on their economic well- being, government should introduce the proposal of increasing reservoir capacity. The proposal of shifting the temple at a strategic location should be given along with the promise that the structure of new temple will be the exact replica of older one and experts shall be consulted for the same. An economic study to ascertain potential economic benefits from improved reservoir capacity should be used to convince the villagers. The benefits will be communicated with the help of skits, plays, radio commercials and a celebrity can be made brand ambassador of the project....