Bandipora, June 29 : In the Chandragir area of Bandipora district, the once fertile lands behind the Danki Paneer have turned dry and barren due to the lack of proper irrigation facilities.
The parched fields tell a story of hardship and despair for the local farmers, whose livelihoods depend heavily on water access.
Local residents allege that the irrigation department had allocated around 1.5 crore rupees to build infrastructure intended to improve water supply.
However, instead of bringing relief, the construction of a drain has caused further problems. The drain, which was supposed to facilitate irrigation, is now blocked, leaving many farmers deprived of essential water resources.
One farmer lamented, “Our fields used to be green and full of crops, but now they are just dry earth. We feel abandoned.”
Mohd. Yubarathar, a resident of Samargarh village in Bandipora, said, “When water is scarce, we have no option but to carry it from the river.This affects not only our crops but our entire way of life.”
Another farmer said, “They spent crores but left us with no water. Our 10,000 canals are dry, and we don’t know how long we can survive like this.”
The ongoing crisis has led to growing frustration among the local community, who are demanding answers from the authorities. “Why was the drain blocked after spending so much money? Why were the water channels left barren? Our livelihood depends on these canals,” said one villager.
The irrigation department has yet to respond to these allegations or provide a clear plan to restore the water supply. Meanwhile, farmers continue to struggle against the harsh conditions, hoping for timely intervention.(KNS)
