Sinapali: Scores of farmers of the villages along river Udanti in this block of Nuapada district are reportedly left jobless as their farmlands have become a part of the river.
Massive erosion of the bank has resulted in thick sand deposit in most of the agricultural fields alongside the river. The ingression of river water has hit the livelihood of many farmers.
The worst affected villages are Kachadangari, Gola, Gadaramal, Neelaji, Kauntapadar, Kapad, Chalan, Hatibandha, Yugenpadar, Baragaon, Ghukhiguda, Salekela, Sagunbhadi, Chatiaguda and other villages of Sinapali block.
Instead of providing compensation to the farmers, the administration keeps collecting tax from them which has only added to their problems, lamented some paddy growers.
The farmers along the river not only grow paddy, but also cultivate groundnut, black gram, horse gram, arhar and vegetables to eke out a living. However, they have failed to take up farming activities, their only sources of sustenance, due to soil damage by coats of clay and sand in their farmland following ingression of river water into the adjacent fertile land. While the farmers had raised the issue with the administration on several occasions, the later has so far failed to realize the ground reality, it was learnt.
All the agricultural land in these villages would soon disappear into the river unless the government takes immediate corrective measures, a farmer said.
The victims believe that construction of guard wall or stone packing at both sides of the bank can protect their farmlands.
The farmers whose lands have been affected by sand coating include Shasank Mohan Thakur (five acre), Narahari Thakur (five acre), Gajendra Panda (two acre), Sadananda Thakur (five acre), Lochan Meher (one acre), Raju Nial (two acre), Padman Meher (two acre), Prasanna Bishi (three acre), Debamadhab Thakur (four acre) and Binod Bihar Herna (three acre).
Some villagers apprehended that they may lose their dwellings if steps are not taken at the earliest.
Sinapali tehsildar Nilambar Suna said he was yet to receive any complaint in this regard. The matter would be investigated and action taken after receipt of the complaint, he added.
PNN
