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Delay in execution of Jonai anti-erosion project

By Correspondent

JONAI, Jan 12 � About 90,000 villagers of 200 villages in Jonai subdivision of Dhemaji district have expressed deep anguish over the apathy of the State Government towards the problems of flood and erosion, which are posing serious threat to the existence of the entire area. They have warned the Government of a strong agitation if prompt measures in this regard are not initiated before the ensuing Assembly election.

The southern part of the subdivision (south of the NH-52) is a riverine and flood-prone area and the people therein have been living with myriad problems as the recurring flood causes devastation of the rural economy every year. Due to the indifferent attitude of the elected representatives and the department concerned, no effective steps against floods and erosion have been taken to protect the area so far. The low-lying places of the southern areas having a rich potential of agriculture have not been evaluated by any government or non-government agency yet.

The Lali river, which is flowing down aside the villages� Kerker, Bhalukaguri, Moonmooni-Choraibari char and Bhekeli and Borong areas is moving closer to its northern parts, bringing great misery to the people each year. The early flash flood this year has already washed away the entire area and swallowed several hectares of �Ahu� and �Boro� cultivation in Bahirjonai, Rayang-Bijoypur, Gali, Ramdhan and Laimekuri panchayats. The Lali river (Siang river in Arunachal) is posing great threat to the existence of Kobuchapori, Moonmooni and Soraibari chars on its southern bank while it has eroded several hectares of fertile cultivated land on its north bank. Likewise, the mighty Brahmaputra is posing serious erosion threat at Majorbari ferryghat portion of Simenchapori area.

Talking to this correspondent, some leading citizens of the flood-ravaged Jonai villages alleged that neither the Water Resources Minister nor the local MLA are paying attention to the living condition of the calamity-affected people. Local MLA Bhuban Pegu is also not aware of their grievances, they alleged. As such, the administrative machinery ends its responsibilities by distributing some edible items in the name of flood relief, but no proper assessment of loss and damage and rehabilitation measure have been undertaken for the last many years.

Now, erosion has become so critical that the entire Jonai area will collapse in flood water next year if prompt protection measures are not initiated. Several hectares of forest land in Poba RF near the Jonai sub-divisional HQ have been swallowed by the Lali and mighty Brahmaputra river in the last five years.

It is worth mentioning that an erosion control project worth Rs 80.51 crore has been sanctioned under Central Water Resource department for construction of boulder spurs on left bank of Lali river. The project covers a 14-km stretch from Anchalghat to Berachapori on its right bank. The Centre has sanctioned an amount Rs 80.51 crore against anti-erosion project on Jonai rivers.

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