Defunct irrigation canals in Uri affect agriculture; farmers decry official apathy
Zaffer Iqbal
Uri, May 05 (GNS): Extensive damage and neglect of irrigation canals in Uri sub-division of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have disrupted agricultural activity, with farmers claiming severe water shortages across large tracts of farmland.
Local residents told GNS that a significant number of irrigation channels in the area are either defunct or in a dilapidated condition, depriving thousands of kanals of land of assured irrigation. “The impact is being felt across paddy fields, horticulture orchards and other agricultural holdings.”
Farmers from Nambala village said that the Upper Khabna and Lower Khabna canals have remained in disrepair for several years, affecting irrigation over hundreds of kanals. They said repeated representations to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department have not yielded any response.
In Gharkote village, locals said a steel flume of an irrigation canal was damaged during road construction works in Nambala in February last year. They alleged that the structure has not been restored so far, resulting in disruption of water flow. Farmers said they had to install a temporary pipe at their own expense last year to sustain irrigation.
They expressed concern that continued disruption in water supply could render paddy fields unproductive. Farmers also claimed that complaints submitted to the concerned authorities have not been addressed.
Similar issues have been reported from several villages across Uri and adjoining Boniyar, including Syedpora, Thajal, Talawari, Mothal, Salamabad, Kalgi, Dardkot, Sultan Dhaki, Basgran, Bagna Salamabad, Banali, Barnete, Batangi and Phalipora where irrigation infrastructure is stated to be in poor condition.
Residents further said that multiple irrigation canals damaged during the 2014 floods remain unrestored.
Farmers said they are often compelled to undertake temporary repairs using personal resources to maintain irrigation and have urged the authorities to initiate immediate restoration measures to prevent further losses to the agriculture sector. (GNS)
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