Bhavnath temple

Summary

After the independence, both central and provincial government directed their attention
towards the economic development of the country. The undivided Bombay province
proposed to construct earthen dams across the rivers Lokmatha and Sadamata in north
Gujarat. According to the project, the creation of the reservoir would result in submerging the
land of some villages, the government has plans to resettle the affected population and
provision of new alternative livelihoods. However, the temple of Bhavnath is located in the
projected reservoir. To save the temple, the proposed first plan mentioned building the gates
on the water weir. The second plan indicated to shift the temple location, however, the people
of the village remained adamant in their demand to save the temple. As the government of
Gujarat has been inclined to implement the second proposed plan for increasing agricultural
production which will also ensure the temple’s safeguard, we need to decide the course of
action that government should adopt.

Central issue 

The government of Gujarat is inclined to implement the proposal to construct earthen dams
across the rivers to increase agricultural production which will increasing irrigation facilities
and revenues. The Bhavnath temple located in the projected reservoir is a constraint to
implement this project as the people are adamant to shift the temple.

Objectives

 To construct the dams across the rivers

 Resettlement of people of villages
 Provision of houses and alternative livelihoods
 Considering religious sentiments of village people
 raising the irrigation potential to increase agricultural production 
 evaluating alternative action plans

Problem statement 

With the government’s proposal to construct the dam and facilitate irrigation, the Bhavnath
temple will be submerged which affects the religious sentiments of the villagers. It can create
resistance to implement the project. The dilemma is either convince the people to relocate the
temple to construct the reservoir or build gates on the water weir without moving the temple.

Decision Criteria 

1. It should focus on the economic development of the region 

2. A decision should focus on maximizing revenue minimizing cost
3. The total duration of successful implementation 
4. generating new alternative sources of livelihoods
Alternatives

1. The government agreed to provide gates on the water weir so that floodwater does no
rise to endanger the temple. Additional sums were approved for the construction of
these safeguards.
2. To increase the capacity of the reservoir which will benefit as larger irrigation land
with higher revenues. To consider an alternative location where the deities of the
temple could be shifted.
3. Find another location to build the dam

 Evaluation of alternatives

1. The project can be implemented in less time than the other two as there is minimal
delay in construction involved. People can be easily convinced without hurting their
religious sentiments. The livelihoods can be easily generated. The site can be
improved in a way that maximum tourism can be attracted which ultimately will help
in enhancing the employment of the nearby villages. The cost involved in the
construction of gates is less than implementing the second alternative. There is no
other additional loss in revenue and construction.
2. The relocation of the temple would hurt people’s religious sentiments. This will
further delay implementation due to convincing the people. It only shows benefits in
one area which is the increase in irrigation coverage. Also, the temple had a
Dharamshala, Suryakund, Yagnakund, Bhrugukund, and a few small temples around
the main temple which will be submerged under a reservoir that can take away the
employment of many villagers. It Incurs a higher cost.
3. The government could shift the project to another location which is time-consuming
and future delay the implementation project

Chosen alternative

The government of Gujarat should implement the first proposal as it is less time-consuming
and benefits people. The people will get employment and income. Government should
improve the site to attract tourism by improving similar projects like the Sardar Sarovar dam
located in Gujarat. It will help the government to generate more revenues.

Implementation of plan

 Relocate population of the villages

 Implement the project
 Employing villagers
 Electricity at low rates
 The capacity can be increased by increasing the depth

Contingency plan
The government could implement second proposal as it increases the cost as well as
revenues. The employment can be provided by shifting the temple to one side of the dam
which can attract tourism.