Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Feb 20 : In Baramulla’s Sopore, Khrusi Nallah has come under extensive encroachment and the same is going on unabated with the administration taking no concrete steps in saving the Nallah from the encroachers.
The shrinking of Irrigation and Flood control (I&FC) departments Nallah and blockage of outlets due to encroachment is taking a hit on people’s crop cultivation and as per locals the back flow of water has damaged their paddy fields and orchards, resulting in less cultivation.
Locals while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the Nallah Khrusi which originates from Puthkha to Lalad and then to Amargrah and finally merges with river Jhelum at Ningli in Sopore, but the outlet of this Nallah has been encroached which is creating immense problems for them, especially the inhabitants of Tarzoo, Darnambal etc.
They alleged that due to the shrinking of Nallah and encroachment particularly at its outlet has damaged their orchards, paddy fields and roads at few places. The department is doing nothing to save their own canal, as well as leaving people at lurch.
They urged the irrigation department to remove the illegal structures from the Nallah to restore its pristine glory. They also alleged that despite their repeated pleas, the concerned department has failed to restore this Nallah to its original shape.
“Khrusi Nallah has shrunk to such an extent now that it looks more like a drain. Authorities need to save the water body, otherwise it will only remain history in coming years”, said Aijaz Ahmed Dar, Patron Central Auqaf Tarzoo/Darnambal.
“At least 20-30 illegal structures have been set up at the Nallah bank illegally, which has shrinked the Nallah, thus leaving the inhabitants and orchardists at risk”, he said. “Tentatively they are facing the loss of at least 30-40% as their orchards, paddy land are losing its fertility due to the excessive water in their cultivating lands”, Aijaz said.
Aijaz, being head of the twin villages while narrating his helplessness, said he has been running from pillar to post from the past several years to save this canal but has failed to do so. “I have not spared a single office. I went to each and every one including Irrigation & Flood Control Department and Revenue Department etc. The survey was done a number of times and each time the encroachers were warned, but no concrete action is being taken by the department to save the canal”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department, Sopore, Altaf Ahmed told KNO that they are aware about the matter and they have clear cut directions from the government to remove the encroachment. “We will surely act in this regard to save the water body and the encroachment would be removed soon”, he said—(KNO)
