Tihidi: Not long ago Kundi river, a distributary of Salandi river, flowing through Tihidi block in Bhadrak district, was a lifeline for farmers and agriculture. However, the rivulet is on the verge of losing its existence for lack of revival. Blocked at many places, it has narrowed down to nothing more than a small canal at Dolasahi.
This has become a cause of concern for thousands of farmers in the area. They have demanded its revival by dredging so that it would again come back to life and boost agriculture.
According to locals, the river is in a moribund state leading to gradual disappearance of greenery in the area.
Locals observed that renovation of the river is most essential for irrigation of the agriculture sector in seven panchayats under Bhadrak and Basudevpur blocks.
Kundi river originates from Salandi at Bentala under Bhadrak block and merges with Mantei river at Bahakula in Saya panchayat under Tihidi block. Farmers living in riparian panchayats like Bentala, Berhampur, Kedarpur, Dolasahi, Paliabindha, Achak, Saya and Jagannathprasad benefited from the river when it came to irrigation.
Farmers say during the drought they used to irrigate their land with water of the river by using pump sets. That apart, they used to grow a variety of vegetables in the different seasons with river water. “As most people are dependent on agriculture, the river water was highly essential for our economic backbone. But over last few years, it has been choked. The river has completely narrowed at Radhanga and Gajipur in Dolasahi panchayat,” they pointed out.
In different times in the past, Akhila Bharat Krushak Sabha had staged agitations demanding renovation of Kundi river, but nothing has been done. Its revival can help farmers battle drought and floods in some areas, the farmers said.
Even as the government gives priority on river renovation across the country, leaving Kundi to die is very unfortunate, said Amar Senapati, a former samiti member.
Social activist Sanjib Dixit said famers have abandoned growing rabi crops. There is a need for renovation of the river, he added.
“Our agitation for revival of Kundi river is on. In days to come, we will take up the issue with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by sending post card letters,” said Damodar Senapati, district secretary of Akhil Bharat Krushak Sabha.
On the other hand, Rabin Kumar Parmanik, a junior engineer, said tender has been floated for renovation of Kundi river and its renovation will be undertaken soon. PNN