GUWAHATI, June 8 - Massive erosion triggered by the rising waters of the Brahmaputra is posing a serious threat to the people residing in the eastern part of Kamrup Metro district.
According to locals, the erosion that started in the last part of May has already swallowed hundreds of bighas of agricultural land. It is severely affecting thousands of families residing in Tatimara, Bengnamari, Hajongbari, Barchapori and No.2 Chandrapur village under the Chandrapur revenue circle. It has also affected a large portion of Tapoban and Madhuban, two famous picnic spots of the area, pushing them to the brink.
As the erosion is going on just 17 km away from the State capital Dispur, it poses a serious challenge to the expansion of Guwahati city as well. Unfortunately, the State Water Resources department is yet to take any visible step to stop this calamity from assuming catastrophic dimensions.
�Erosion is a yearly phenomenon during the rainy season in our area. Already, we have lost thousands of bighas of land. But, the government is yet to take any concrete step to solve this problem. If the erosion continues in this manner, then, within a few days, many families of the area will have to shift to other places,� Saurabh Das, a resident of the area, lamented while talking to The Assam Tribune.
Bipjyoti Malakar, a local youth, alleged that the local MLA has not yet visited the erosion-hit areas.
�We suffer every year due to flood and erosion. Many farmers have quit farming because of this and chosen other means of livelihood to eke out a living,� Malakar said. �Besides, monkey menace is another growing concern for the farmers here,� he added.
The Chandrapur unit of the All Assam Students� Union recently moved the State government seeking a permanent solution to the problem, but it is believed to have received no response so far.
A senior official of the Water Resources department meanwhile stated that in order to stop erosion at Chandrapur, the embankment of the Brahmaputra would need to be firmed up with geotextile sand containers. But, in the rainy season, it is not possible to execute such a mega scheme. So, as an immediate preventive measure, the department is planning to install artificial porcupines in the affected stretch of the riverside.
�As an anti-erosion measure, we need to install porcupines in an area of around 800 meters along the riverside. A plan has been prepared in this connection as well, but it is still awaiting official approval,� the senior official stated.
