* Shocked over loss of livestock in DH Poraa
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: The J&K National Conference today expressed concern over the slack attitude of the administration towards undertaking annual de-silting of irrigation canals, stating that the canals require massive dredging and shrub clearance for ensuring smooth flow of water to meet the demands of agriculture activities in Valley.
While decrying the lackluster approach of the administration towards ensuring smooth supply of water in the irrigation canals, Party MPs 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. But 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.
They 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 crisis. “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 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 but they remained unheard, ” they added.
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 victim families be compensated by the administration,” she said.
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