Bhavanath Tample Case Study

BHAVANATH TAMPLE CASE STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Government of Gujarat wants to increase the capacity of dams on Sadamata and Lokmata rivers but with this proposal the temple of Bhavnath, which was located in projected reservoir has to be submerged, and the native people were adamant in their demand to save the temple. Now government of Gujarat has to make sure that while they implement the project, religious sentiments has to be safeguarded so that project should be implemented smoothly. For that government of Gujarat has proposed to the people of villages that all the requirement will be taken into the consideration and utmost care will be taken to ensure that the temple’s future is safeguarded.

MAIN REPORT

1. SITUATION ANALISYS

1. INTRODUCTION

After the independence in order to boost the economic productivity of the area of northern Gujarat, the then ruling state of Bombay decided to construct a water reservoir by building dams on Sadamata and Lokmata rivers. They came up with two broad plans to implement the project but were faced with daunting challenges of relocating the people and a temple to ensure the safeguard of people and their religious sentiments. Now after bifurcation of the Bombay state government of Gujarat is faced with the same challenges.

1. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE

• Stakeholders: Government of Gujarat, people of displaced villages
• Objective statement: Government of Gujarat wants to build dams to form a reservoir in order to ensure the economic development of the surrounding area. At the same time, the government wants to ensure that the religious sentiments of the people of those villages are not offended.

1. DESCISION PROBLEM STATEMENT

The government of Gujarat has been facing the opposition because there is a temple in the basin where the reservoir is being built. Government of Gujarat has to find a middle way so that the economic development of the area is ensured and also the religious sentiments are not hurt.

1. CRITERIA FOR DESCISION MAKING

• Ensuring Economic development        
• Ensuring the safeguard of religious sentiments
• Ensuring that annual fair happens with the same vigor
• Ensuring the minimal cost

1. DECISION PROCESS

1. GENERATING ALTERNATIVES

The government will go with a controlled capacity (4700 million cu feet) of the dam in which the temple will not be relocated.

The government will increase the capacity of the dam by persuading people of the village. The government will also plan a complete relocation of the temple with added attraction for tourism and benefit of local people.

1. EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

PLAN A: The capacity of the reservoir is 4700 million cu feet. The cost of the project is also less than that of plan B and the funds which are in surplus can be utilized in other forms of sustainable economic development activities. The sentiments of the people will remain unhurt which will bring more support and trust in the dam project. The trust will act as a catalyst for future government initiatives in that area. But in case of any natural calamity that can cause the failure of the dams, there would be a huge threat to the human lives residing in the vicinity of the temple and also to the temple.