Farming activity wanes in Uri villages due to lack of irrigation
Baramulla: Farmers in north Kashmir’s Uri staged a protest against Flood & Irrigation Department alleging that their crops are parching due to lack of irrigation.
The protesting farmers hailing from Jabla, Nowpora and Salamabad alleged that Flood & Irrigation Department and civil administration is paying no heed to their complaints.
The protesting farmer raised high-pitched slogans against the Irrigation department and administration demanding immediate water supply to their paddy and corn fields.
A protesting farmer, Nazir Ahmad Chowdary, of Jabala Uri said, “The only canal which irrigates more than six thousand kannals of land has been blocked by rocks as a result our crops are parching.”
“The government had promised us irrigation pumps and canal network but nothing has been done till now in this regard,” said Bader Din Bhat from Nopwara Uri.
“I have thirty kanals of paddy fields which are parching due to water shortage. I have opted for another job to earn a livelihood and feed my family,” says Hafizullah Bhat of Nowpora.
When contacted concerned Junior Engineer, Manan Jabbar, said, “The department is trying its best to provide proper irrigation to farmers. If the canal needs some repairing and de-slitting, the department will do it.”
