Bhavnath Temple Situational Analysis

Situational Analysis:

With the aim to enhance the overall economic development of the country, the government

proposed a plan to construct a dam across Sadmata and Lokmata rivers in the state of Gujarat

which will have a capacity of 4700 million cu.ft. that will irrigate around 92000 acres of land.

The plan includes the compensation and resettlement for submerged land of villagers. This plan

was opposed by the villagers as their temple will be submerged under this project, to which the

government agreed to save the temple by taking preventive measures. However, in the final

proposal Government planned to raise the height of the dam in order to increase its capacity to

5700 million cubic feet. This new plan will increase the irrigation facilities to larger area and

more agricultural production with a marginal cost but that would lead to complete submergence

of bhavnath temple. As a result, the locals opposed the new proposal and the project is at halt.

Problem Statement: The government is in a dilemma regarding the decision of constructing the

dam with extended plans for economics benefits against religious sentiments of the locals over

the submergence of bhavnath temple.

Criteria for Decision Making:

1) Overall Economic development of the state.

2) Increase the reach of water in the state by developing better irrigation facilities.

3) Respecting people’s religious sentiments.

Alternatives:

1. To go with the earlier plan of constructing the dam while keeping the bhavnath temple

intact.

2. To go with the plan of expanding the dam resulting in submergence of bhavnath temple.

3. To continue negotiations with local people and religious leaders of the village for

agreement with construction of extended plan.

Evaluation of alternative:

First alternative: The first proposed plan is able to conserve the religious sentiments of the local

people as well as able to benefit the agricultural and irrigational practices in the state. The Major

drawback of this plan is the lost economic opportunity