Expresses concern over loss of livestock to herdsmen in DH Pora
Srinagar, 17 May (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Sunday expressed concern over the slack attitude of the administration towards undertaking annual desilting of irrigation canals saying the canals require massive dredging, and shrub clearance for ensuring smooth flow of water to meet the demands of agriculture activities the ensuing year.
According to statement issued to KNS, While decrying the lackluster approach of the administration towards ensuring smooth supply of water in the irrigation canals, Party’s Members of Parliament Muhammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi in a joint statement said that farmers are agitating that the annual clearance of irrigation canals both Zamindari Khuls and field Channels have not been carried out as yet and that the shortfall of required water, farmers apprehend will result in decline of annual agriculture produce, particularly in undulating and mountainous areas.
“It was on annual basis that the IFC department used to initiate restoration and clearance activities to ensure swift supply of water to farmers to carry out their agricultural activities. Concerned department used to take up the annual clearance and de-siltation activity during February –April every year. Disappointingly the measures have not been carried out this year, we have been receiving distress calls from the farmers across the valley in this regard,” they said.
Due to the less carrying capacity in such cannals owing to high sediment deposits threat of inundation looms large over the adjoining areas of such cannals; they said adding, “The less carrying capacity of such canals, farmers complain put the prospects of a productive harvest in lurch. It goes without saying that the failure of the administration to carry out the necessary repairs and cleaning will have a negative impact on the cultivation of orchards, paddy, maize, oilseeds, and vegetables. Contrary to extending the network of irrigation canals in dry farming areas, especially the Karewa lands; the administration has failed to ensure proper working of existing network of irrigation cannals.”
Members of Parliament also expressed disappointment over the failure of administration to ensure smooth supply of pesticides, fertilizers and seeds to farmers and Orchardists during the prevailing lockdown in view of global Covid-19 crises. “The failure of administration towards ensuring smooth flow of various requisites of farming has put the fate of successive farming activities in lurch. The farmers and orchardists already underwent a tough time during previous months when the flowering season has picked up. Farmers have been urging the administration to include chemicals, horticultural mineral oils, pesticides, fertilizers in the list of essential commodities. The claims of administration in ensuring smooth supply of chemicals to farmers’ stands debunked in view of the acute shortage of such condiments on ground. What has added to the woes of farmers is the closure of multi utility sale centers across the length and breadth of Kashmir division,” they said urging the administration to ensure smooth supply of water in irrigation cannals.
Meanwhile senior party leader Sakina Itoo expressed concern over loss of livestock to herdsmen at Chajimarg behak, Nandimarg, and Nikon Top following incessant rains, hailstorm and lighting, asking the district administration to give recompense to the affected.
While expressing anguish over the loss of livestock in various hamlets of District Kulgam, Sakina said it is heart wrenching to see these unfortunate Bakarwal, and other herdsmen families lose their prized procession. “Due to the incessant rains and thunderstorm herdsmen in various upper reaches of the district Kulgam had incurred heavy losses to their livestock. At least 250 livestock, 22 horses of nomadic families have been devoured following hailstorm and gusty downpour at Nikon top as well. At various other hamlets in the upper reaches of DH Pora the herdsmen have also incurred immeasurable losses to their cattle. The heavy hail has proved costliest and deadliest to these poor nomadic and other herdsmen families, which used to eke out their humble living by raring cattle for wool, milk and mutton. The livestock, it goes without saying holds is of crucial importance to such families,” she said.
Itoo said that the livestock was the sole procession of the affected and that the calamity that has struck them has rendered them hopeless. “It is expected that the district administration will access the losses at an earliest and ensure disbursement of compensation to the affected without delay, meantime I also impress upon the government to provide free ration and monetary support to the affected in addition to the due recompnse,” she said. (KNS)