https://youtu.be/_0e3QKE6_aY
Unique irrigation system of Cuncolim village in Goa under threat Twelve Bhands of Cuncolim: With the summer approaching the water level in some of the Cuncolim wells is decreasing….it is because the traditional 12 bhands system – were water was harvested to increase the level of water in the village wells has not been followed. The villagers fear that the old system has crashed in some places and have demanded that the Cuncolim Municipality or Water Resources department of the Goa government step in to construct the 12 bhands on a regular basis every year in the month of October. Here https://youtu.be/_0e3QKE6_aY Roland Martins of the Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) talks about the need to build the bundhs It may be noted that Cuncolim, in Indian state of Goa has an interesting irrigation system - Bara Bhand (twelve bunds) that are named Zogla bandh, Uskinibandh, Molle -bandh, Vedebandh, Sallebandh ,Folleabandh and Dothra bandh (on the Northern and Eastern sides). Chireabhandh, Oddabandh, Fontibandh, Dugalebandh, Pairabandh and Novobandh on Southern and Western side. Small dams that are built annually in the month of October with mud, twigs and coconut stem hold or collect water in the streams that encircle the villages of Cuncolim & Veroda. The water collected is used for the production of Vangana (Khazana/saline) crop. The water reservoir "Novo Bandh" used to supply water to the neighbouring villages of Assolna, Ambelim and Velim. The bandh is situated between two hills. The Portuguese rebuilt it around 1880 when the old one had collapsed. At that time the surrounding areas were flooded and cattle and goats, washed away. Although rebuilt about hundred years ago, it is still called Novo Bandh-new bund. Initially the local Panchayat maintained the reservoir. Each year an auction for opening and closing the tank known as "Vagzuem Tanki" was conducted. But things are changing …with people demanding construction of bhands to tide over the water supply in the village and government steeping in builds the bhands. the recent one in Cottamol.