Uneven flow: Farmers protest lack of irrigation water in Ekka Ghund

PA says those involved in creating illegal watercourses were arrested, but later released

SHABQADAR: Farmers held a demonstration on Monday over the lack of water to irrigate 7,000 acres of land in Ekka Ghund, Lower Mohmand Agency.

A protest was held by farmers and led by an elder, Jalil Mohmand. On the occasion, a walk was organised from Ekka Ghund Gate to Hafiz Kor. While addressing the participants, Jalil said, “Irrigation water is being used by the people of Qasim Khel and Dado Khel tribes in Michni through illegal watercourses.” He added the Lower Michni Canal was established in 1962 when Warsak Dam was constructed.

The elder said the canal irrigated land till Daman, Shabqadar. However, after 1983, locals destroyed the overhead water channels in Ekka Ghund and established 17 illegal watercourses in Michni, badly affecting the flow of water.



“Now, the land situated at the end of the canal lacks water.” Jalil maintained, “We filed an appeal at the Peshawar High Court against illegal watercourses and the court also issued orders to the political administration to root out such connections.”

He complained that instead of following the orders, the political administration simply imposed fines on the culprits and failed to take any action to close the watercourses.

Jalil told participants that the previous government, of ANP, released Rs53 billion to remodel the Michni Canal and others, but the then provincial irrigation minister only prepared a plan and no work was completed on the ground.

He claimed the funds allocated for the canal were transferred to Nowshera, but it was not remodelled and this created immense problems for farmers.

When contacted, a political administration official, Amir Nawaz Khan, told The Express Tribune action was taken against those people involved in creating illegal watercourses. He said they were released on the guarantee that such connections would be closed. “If they fail to do so, stern action will be taken against them, as per the law.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2016.