Porvorim: Goa govt has proposed a Rs 476 crore Khazan Land Rejuvenation Programme to restore 1,490ha of protected khazan land to cultivation by strengthening bunds and sluice gates and desilting water bodies and drainage channels.The proposal, prepared by the directorate of agriculture and submitted to the directorate of planning, statistics and evaluation for onward submission to NITI Aayog, estimates Rs 180 crore for strengthening khazan bunds and sluice gates and Rs 296 crore for desilting water bodies, including poiems, and drainage canals.Several khazans in Goa are currently in a dilapidated condition, allowing saline water to enter agricultural fields and rendering them unproductive. Of the state’s more than 19,000ha of khazan land, less than 2,000ha is estimated to be under cultivation due to salinity ingress.Carambolim has the largest cluster of proposed works, with four bunds—Naganzo Khedo, Ofla-Caujuo-Kholi, Ofla-Dongzo and Dhado—identified for strengthening. Together, the works are expected to protect around 750ha of khazan land.Govt has also identified works in Bardez, Salcete and other areas. In Salcete, proposed strengthening of the Daclem Ordh, Odlem-Ordh, Deorbhat-Tamxell, Nokhazan and Carbot-Cantor-Bebdo bunds would cover substantial areas of Khazan land.However, no physical progress has been reported under the proposed programme so far.
