The clash of the economic development and religious sentiments in northern

Gujarat – A Bhavnath Temple case analysis

Aman P39121, Chittesh P39131, Munish 39145, Saransh P39162, Shivani P39166, Yuvraj P39177

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Executive Summary
In order to promote the economic development in the northern part of Gujarat, earthen dams
across the rivers Lokmata and Sadmata are to be constructed but locals are against it as the
solution includes the relocation of the Bhavnath temple. In this study, the factors affecting the
decision regarding the relocation of the temple that includes the welfare of the state, economic
development, promotion of tourism, and sustainability are discussed and a synthesized solution is
presented. Cost-benefit analysis is carried out to balance the revenue and the cost of the project.
The implementation scheme that includes active involvement of religious heads, local and star
politicians, and incentives are also discussed. The fringe and the direct benefits of the dam are
highlighted throughout the study.
Keywords: Earthen dams, Bhavnath temple, Cost-benefit analysis, religious sentiments,
Incentives
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Introduction
In 1960, the dire need for rapid economic development, the welfare of the state, and
sustainability drove the initiative of creating earthen dams across the rivers Lokmata and
Sadmata in the northern part of Gujarat forward. Sound growth plans which have matured with
years of planning and can be executed as soon as possible became the point of focus. The dam
project would offer substantial returns every year after a single investment and would also help
to create a reservoir of water to reap both the direct and indirect benefits of irrigation. However,
the revised plan of the undivided V Bombay province suggested shifting the Bhavnath temple
which met with strong opposition from the devotees. Due to the sentiments attached to the
temple, the construction was once put on hold. Since the plan was again chosen to be
implemented by the Gujarat government the situation can now be reviewed. A government needs
to analyze the situation from several different perspectives before reaching an optimal solution
that satiates the driving forces of the case in hand. No thumb rule can be blindly followed. It is
usually observed that the religious uproar is emotionally driven. The task to carry out a factual
study measuring an intangible entity like emotional attachment with a deity or a temple is
demanding but due consideration has been given to safeguarding the sentiments attached to the
aforementioned entities. So, this study focuses on the economic aspects of the case and tries to
synthesize a solution that would be for the greater benefit.

Objective Statements
The objective for the development of earthen dams in northern Gujarat:
1. To promote the economic development of the state by increasing agricultural production.
2. To promote the welfare of the entire state, particularly the three affected districts
3. To not to set a bad precedent against economic development by the government
4. To construct sustainable and profitable assets.
5. To enforce mature and feasible plans in order to minimize the planning phase
6. To safeguard the sentiments of the villagers that are being affected
7. To promote religious tourism and recognize it as a source of revenue
8. To provide home and livelihood for the displaced villagers
Problem statement
Earthen dams on the rivers (Lokmata and Sadmata) of northern Gujarat are proposed to be
constructed so that water can be impounded in a reservoir and irrigation can be further
developed. The scheme is halted due to the rise in the uproar against the relocation of the
Bhavnath temple. There is a need to ensure that the scheme will result in sustainable and
increasing profits. The plan should also minimize other problems like discomfort for
displacement of citizens from twenty villages. It should also provide new sources of livelihood
for these citizens and check feasibility against the current population of the villages. There is a
need to synthesize a solution and an implementation scheme that is acceptable to all.
Criteria for decision making
Table 1Comparative Data for FSL 592 and FSL 595

Capacity (ml. cu. ft.) Cost Return on Indirect Direct Total arable
(cr) cost (cr) benefit benefits area (acres)
(acres) (acres)
4700 1.7 1.63 73600 19300 92000
5700 1.9 1.975 89200 22300 111500

There are both qualitative and quantitative parameters that need to be analyzed before
formulating a decision.

 A substantial increase in the irrigable land:

If the earthen dams are built, then the irrigable land will increase to 22,300 acres when the
reservoir capacity is set as 5700 million cu. ft. and 19,300 acres of land if the capacity is
4700 million cu. ft. against submergence of around 10,500 acres of land. This would
contribute substantially to the economic development of the state.
 Cost-Benefit analysis:
As given in Table 1 the cost of making a dam at Flood Safety Limit (FSL) 592 is Rs. 1.7
crore. The irrigation project was to yield annually Rs. 15.83 lakhs. The increase in
agricultural production was estimated at 30,400 tons that value Rs. 147.74 lakhs. This makes
the total value per year as Rs. 1.63 crores. So, the cost would be recovered in a little more
than a year. Similarly, as per Table 1, if the FSL was 595 the cost would be 1.9 crores and the
new value per year in proportion would be 1.975 crores. So, the cost would be recovered in
less than a year. This is a great return for the cost of investment.
 Religious sentiment:
Religious sentiment and devotion are intangible assets of a society. Religion promotes ethical
behavior and increases the morale of the society. A loss of a religious symbol may seem like
a personal attack to the public. Any such incidence would most likely result in violent
outbursts and may harm the safety and security of various personnel.
 The qualitative aspect of soil:
The qualitative aspect of soil will also need to be evaluated while exchanging lands and
relocating the villages. The farmers would need to be ensured that proper facilities will be
available to them on the new site.
 Sense of identity:
An ancient temple along with kunds, fares, and tourists is a landmark for an area which is
otherwise surrounded by villages. In a little over ten years, there has been a change in the
form of government, conversion of provinces to states, the partition of the country, and
bifurcation of the Bombay province into two states. In times of chaos, people try to hold onto
their symbols more closely and associate with them a sense of identity. Any changes to that
will have a massive impact.
 Sustainable solution:
Any development intervention initiated by the government should be tested for sustainability.
The solution proposed must require minimal maintenance cost and should guarantee the
safety of all people.
 Incidence and impact:
Since the creation of the dam would benefit three districts and the impact would only affect
20 villages. The need of many can easily outweigh the few.
 Good precedent:
 Since it has only been a little over ten years of independence the government should take this
opportunity to set a precedent that may become a model for the future developments. So, the
solution should be progressive and should think more about the future.
Possible solutions
In such a case, the government can do one of the three things related to the dam. First, look for
other sources of development and leave the area near the Bhavnath temple as it is. This will
please the protestors. The second is to revert the plan of the dam to the previously accepted
solution of keeping FSL as 592. To this, all the parties including the villagers had agreed upon as
the solution does not require us to relocate Bhavnath temple. But a water weir needs to be
constructed. The third is the implementation of the proposal of the Bombay Government of
raising FSL to 595 as it is. All three cases warrant an analysis. The first case of not building the
dam will certainly maintain peace in the locality but it will not bring any economic development
or help develop any asset and religious tourism will continue to grow as it is.
The second case of FSL 592 will promote economic development and maintain peace in the
state. A precedent of mutual growth will be set, the government will appear as tolerant and
balanced. However, the sustainability of the water-weir will always be an issue and the tourism
cannot be promoted heavily as the influx of tourists will be difficult. So, a stagnation in the
growth will be visible in the distant future and government may have to do re-intervention. The
third solution promotes economic development, creates wealth, sets a precedent for development
initiatives, and creates a profitable and a sustainable asset.
Proposed Solution: Dam with FSL 595
A dam with FSL 595 will yield 111,500 acres of land that will have 22,300 acres of irrigation
land and 89,200 acres of additional land. Whereas the cost can easily be recovered in less than a
year. The dam will continue to give yearly benefits to the villagers and the state. The dam will
also act as a source of employment. A pro-development model will be established with this step.
The hassle and the cost of the relocation will have to be bared by the state. There will be some
loss of property and money as people will be relocated due to the transaction. There will be
complaints of loss of property and money along with the religious uproar. But that would be a
small cost to bear compared to the yearly benefits. The sentiments of the villagers will be
affected by this change and special care needs to be taken in order to safeguard the sentiments of
the villagers. Since the temple needs to be relocated, special care must be taken to observe all the
religious rites while moving the temple to an acceptable position in order to minimize the
adamant opposition. The implementation scheme is highlighted below.

Implementation
A possible method of implementation and key points to be kept in mind while executing this task
are highlighted below:
1. The inclusion of religious leaders:
The positive aspects of the dam should be explained to the head of the temple, local religious
body, the shrine board/ association head/ trustee of the temple, and the national religious head
(like Shankaracharya). If they become invested in the plan, they will be instrumental in
persuading the local masses.
2. The inclusion of the political figures:
Key political figures, like Morarji Desai or Lal Bahadur Shastri, along with the local politician
should be invited to promote the advantages of the dam.
3. Promotion of local leadership:
The local politicians who have a stronghold in the area should be roped in with the incentive that
their names will be memorialized in history if their names are on the plaques of those leaders
who laid the foundation stone for the dam.
4. Offering Incentives:
The farmers can be offered incentives in the form of more land or even tax rebates and subsidies
for some years. This will appease the oppression of farmers. This along with the awareness
campaigns should subside some aggression.
5. Awareness programs:
Awareness initiatives, especially those that target women and children, should be initiated in the
local area. In order to defuse tensions within households' local women workers who can
convince other women of the village should be employed to gain sympathy for the project.
6. Beautification and Restoration of Bhavnath temple:
Since the project has such a high return value, some money can be spent easily to not only
relocate but to beautify the temple. The Bhavnath temple along with smaller temples, local
shops, kunds, and annual fares can be offered a larger area in order to support the further influx
of tourists. And restoration can be done as per observing the rites of Hindu religion.
7. Offering a suitable place:
The suitable place for the temple should not be decided in isolation by the government but rather
be discussed with the priest of the temple, local political leaders, sarpanch, and panchayat. Only
with the collective decision, a peaceful resolution of the problem is possible.
 8. Food Security:
Self-sufficiency of the area can be attained using this dam and this should be advertised to the
public who are already suffering from poverty by using general body meetings and panchayats.
9. Bhavnath dam:
Since the people of the villages are emotionally connected with the dam, so the government may
decide to name one of the dams after the Bhavnath temple. This will act as an ode to the temple
and will appease some opposition.