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

I. 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.

2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

II. 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.

2. 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.
PLAN B: The capacity of the reservoir increases to 5700 million cu feet. The cost of
the project increase from Rupees 1.7 Cr to Rupees 1.9 Cr (an increase of 11.7%) but
the reservoir capacity increase from 4700 million cu feet to 5700 cu feet (an increase
of 21.2%). The irrigation potential will also increase which would serve larger
 population and ultimately help in economic development. The main issue with this
plan is the submergence of the temple which is of religious importance to the people.
More effort will be required in order to convince people in the form of more
incentives awareness campaigns and approaching the religious leaders.
PLAN C: The plan is to raise the height of the temple at the present location and will
not relocate the temple. This will take care that the religious sentiments of people is
not hurt, but major drawbacks will be in terms investment of capital, human effort
and resources and technological challenges. Increasing the height will also raise the
safety concerns for the tourists.
PLAN D: If government officials are determined to build the dam and to nullify the
protest at any cost, force can be used to vacate the area. But major drawbacks of this
plan will be violation of human rights and this will affect the government from
political point of view in future.

3. CHOSEN DESCISION
The government should go with Plan B by relocating the temple and increasing the
capacity of the dam to increase the agricultural production of the area.

III. IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN

The government will try to convince people to relocate the temple as well as the villages by
explaining to them the dam is being built for their own economic prosperity (and the dam will
help to enhance the quality of their life). The government should take the help of spiritual leaders
to convince people that relocation of the temple is not a barrier for religious activities performed
there and that God is everywhere.

The government will execute the complete relocation plan as explained below:

Relocation of temple:

The new temple which will be built in nearby location having displaced the deities, will have
huge area for the annual fair, recreation and refreshment. This will help in increasing the tourism
potential of that place. The temple which will be built will be bigger than the previous one.

Relocation of villages:

The villagers will be relocated to the nearby place giving them compensation adhering to land
acquisition laws and benefits like better medical facilities, agricultural institutes, water facilities
in the newly developed society of the villagers.

CONTINGENCY PLAN

In the case of adamant opposition by the villagers and if the action is required to be aborted then
we will go with the contingency plan which will be to construct the dam with controlled capacity
and also building safety gates for the temple so that it need not be relocated.