An International, Registered & Referred Monthly Journal : Research Link - 111, Vol - XII (4), June - 2013, Page

No. 105-107 RNI No. MPHIN-2002-7041, ISSN No.- 0973-1628

G eography

Impact of Urmodi Dam on Rehabilitated People of Satara District, Maharashtra

The present study is related with the existing status of the rehabilitated people in Satara district of Maharashtra. The socio-economic effects of the Urmodi dam have been carried out by conducting field visits and questionnaire survey. In view of the above, the study area for present research work has been considered the six villages i.e. Kasarthal, Bangar, Pogarwadi, Ashte, Atit and Nimsol of Satara district Maharashtra. Field investigations have been done at the above sites likely to be impacted by the Urmodi dam which are the sites of resettlement and displaced human population. The present study reveals the positive and negative impact of dam on displaced people in the study area.

JAGDISH B.SAPKALE* & SARIKA B.SURYAWANSHI**

Introduction :
Dams and reservoirs provide an economic and social benefit that contributes extremely to the management of water, which is becoming an inadequate resource. Dams and reservoirs ensure water for power generation and irrigation; also manage to mitigate the potentially destructive effects of floods and droughts. According to Bird and Wallace (2001) the dams are significantly important to control flood in river basins, it provides irrigation water and resulting for increasing crop productivity etc. Kuslu (2008) has also documented that the Irrigation Projects improved agricultural productivity, increased on farm activities and altered human-land relationship. Overall the various studies reveals, that the irrigation facilities also increased the social and economic status of the population in the command areas of the Irrigation Projects. Moreover, these dams and reservoirs may have undesirable environmental and social impacts. The most challenging social impact of dams is the displacement of native people. It has observed that resettled populations under the Urmodi Irrigation Project of Satara district, Maharashtra have received very little compensation and assistance. The people are waiting, to get enough for their basic needs. Therefore, a comprehensive socio-economic study and impact of Dam have been carried out. Some selected Indicators for socio economic status of rehabilitated population like - income from agriculture, annual income of household, concrete houses, road facilities, school/education facilities, medical facilities, drinking water facilities etc. have been considered. Present study also aims to identify whether the affected population have received good quality of land

and full compensation for the loss of their ancestral lands and settlements. Overall 23 villages and 04 Wadi's have submerged under the Urmodi Irrigation Project, and the rehabilitated villages shifted to the nearby area of Satara district, Maharashtra. Study Area : In view of the above, the study area has been considered the Urmodi basin of Maharashtra. The catchment area of the Urmodi basin is 408.40 sq. km., lies between 17 28'33" N- 17 44'25" N latitude and 73 47'51" E and 74 07'33" E longitude. An earthen dam for a length of 1860 metre has constructed across the Urmodi River near village Parali of Satara district, Maharashtra. Total six villages i.e. Kasarthal, Bangar, KusBudharuk, Atit, Shelkewadi and Nagthane of Satara District Maharashtra have considered for detailed study. Aims and Objectives : The main aim of the present research work is to incorporate and provide basic information about the socioeconomic impact due to Urmodi dam and the problem of rehabilitation of the affected people. In order to fulfil the aim, the following objectives have defined: (i) To assess the socio economic impact of the dam in the study area. (ii) To evaluate resettlement issues and the problems of affected population as well as to assess the failure of resettlement schemes, if any. (iii) To suggest appropriate measures to minimize the problems caused by dam. Methodology : The main aim of proposed research work is to determine the socio economic and downstream environmental impact

*Assistant Professor (Department of Geography), Shivaji University, Kolhapur, (Maharashtra) **Research Scholar (Department of Geography), Shivaji University, Kolhapur, (Maharashtra) Research Link - An International Journal - 111 Vol - XII (4) June - 2013 105

of dam. Therefore, the intensive field work has been carried out for the present research work. The fieldwork have comprised of participant observation and informal interviews. In order to carry out the socio-economic studies, on-site socio-economic surveys have been carried out with the help of Questionnaire that has formulated on account of all the relevant aspects mentioned above. The methodology also includes: individual household case study and institutional analysis; besides this, stratified sampling method have been used. At least 10 families in each village had interviewed through questionnaire for collecting information about impact of Urmodi dam on socio & economic life of population. Discussions & Results : Total 23 villages and 04 small wadis' have been affected by Urmodi Dam. Out of these affected villages, 11 villages and 04 wadis' have totally submerged under reservoir and fully affected by dam construction (plate 1). Remaining 12 villages have been partly affected. The villagers were migrated and resettled in the new rehabilitated sites. But the villagers of some affected villages have occupied the area along the back water of the dam and resettled on the sites of foothill zone (Plate 2). The affected villages have resettled in Satara, Khatav and Man Tehsils of Satara district. Out of 25 rehabilitated villages 05 villages comes under Satara tehsil, 14 and 06 villages comes under Khatav and Man tehsils respectively. On the basis of collected information through Government officials and Irrigation Project Reports, it has seen that 70% to 80% resettlement have been done in these

tehsils. Still some people are waiting for their demands in terms of houses and agricultural facilities. The water from the Urmodi dam is provided to Satara, Khatav and Man Tehsils of Satara district of Maharashtra. The total command area and the benefited area under the Irrigation Project are near about 27750 Hectors of land (Urmodi Irrigation Project Report, 2003). But some rehabilitated villages that comes under the command area of this project have not benefited so far and shows positive as well as negative impact of dam.

Plate No. 2 : The Nitral village- fully affected by Dam, resettled along the back water of dam on the hill slopes Questionnaire survey and analysis reveals that, agricultural productivity is increased only in Shelkewadi village, but in Bangar, Kus-Budruk and Kasarthal villages, the agricultural productivity has decreased due to submergence of fertile agriculture land. In Atit and Nagthane the crop yield has decreased because of the scarcity of water and irrigation facilities. Considering total 60 respondents from six sample villages, 75% of them have received un-irrigated agricultural and barren land and nearly 15% respondents have allotted irrigated agricultural land. Respondents of Samarthagaon and Shelkewadi villages are 80% satisfied with transportation and road facilities that has provided in rehabilitated villages. In Nagthane, KusBudruk, Kasarthal & Bangar the rehabilitees have facing lack of transportation facilities. Figure no. 1 shows the percentage of respondents getting annual income from all

Plate No. 1 : Evacuated and Damaged houses in Kasarthal village

Figure 1 : Annual income of respondents

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sources. All 10 respondents of Bangar village are getting less than Rs 10,000/- as an annual income. Whereas, the annual income of one respondent from Kas Budruk and Shelkewadi has receiving more than 50,000/- rupees annually. In the present study the respondents were interviewed and also asked their perceptions towards the socio-economic conditions and other facilities that have provided to the rehabilitees. Table no. 1 shows the percentage of the respondents in view of their opinion regarding the facilities. It has observed that 56.67 % of the respondents are moderately satisfied regarding the economic benefits provided by the irrigation project in various ways. Only 16.66% respondents are highly satisfied towards economic benefits. Most of the people are moderately satisfied towards cultural status, quality of agricultural land, school facilities etc. Table No. 1 : Perception of Respondents/Villagers Towards Irrigation Project
Perceptions regarding : Opinions of Rehabilitated Respondents in percentage Highly Moderately Highly satisfied satisfied unsatisfied 16.66 56.67 26.67 6.67 13.33 8.34 20.5 30 88.33 71.67 63.33 50.5 50 40.34 05 15 28.33 29 20 14

Drain 50:53-64. (2) Census of India, 2001, District Census Handbook 'Satara', Census of India, Government of India, New Delhi. (3) Kaslu. Y.,2008 : Effects of an Irrigation Project in prevention of migration from rural areas; Water Resource Manage (2008) 22 : 611-619, Springer. (4) Urmodi Irrigation Project Report (Revised) 2003: Satara Urmodi Dam division, Satara Maharashtra.

Economical benefits Cultural status Security service near forest area Quality of agricultural land Health facilities Education facilities Drinking facilities

water 45.66

Conclusion and Suggestions : On the basis of 60 respondents from six different rehabilitated villages, the rehabilitees were having total area of 164 Acre before dam construction that has now submerged under Urmodi project, but in terms of compensation they have been allotted near about 107 Acres of agricultural lands. Most of the agricultural land is un-irrigated land and the crop yield has decreased in these areas. Overall, on the basis of questionnaire survey, it has concluded that, most of the affected populations have received unfertile land and less compensation for the loss of their ancestral lands and settlements. Government should fulfill their basic needs according to the Rehabilitation policies. Water from Irrigation project should be provided to the villages. As per the demands of rehabilitees, the school and educational facilities should be improved. Problems regarding agricultural lands and drinking water should be solved by the government officials, as these are the basic needs of the resettlement. Job opportunities should be provided to displaced people at some extent. References :
(1) Bird,J and Wallace,P; 2001 : Dams and development- an insight to the report of the World Commission on Dams. Irrig.

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