Expressing serious concerns over the losses to agriculture, people of several areas depending on Dal Kul to irrigate their fields Monday said that their hard work is going to waste without a water supply.
Known as Dal Kul, it irrigates areas like Bumhama, Durgmulla, Muqam Shahwali, Banday Mohallah and other adjoining areas.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) aggrieved locals said that the water from Dal Kul is the lone source of irrigation for about 250 acre (2000 Kanal) of land.
They said that about 20000 families have their agricultural land dry in absence of irrigation. “We are not able to irrigate our agricultural fields. The lone source has not been maintained by the authorities despite multiple requests,” they said.
Abdul Khaliq, a local from Muqam Shahwali said that Dal Kul needs to be connected to the water source at Geerhatti but so far nothing has been done.
“Our land is suffering because of a drop of water. We have approached the authorities concerned multiple times but nothing has been done,” he said.
Abdul Ahad, another local, said that Dal Kul has been running dry for a long time now. “Most of the population here depends on the farming sector but the authorities seem to be unmoved. We are suffering, our land and production is on the verge of damage. Our production will suffer a massive decline,” he said.
Farmers said that they are made to pay Rs 30 per kanal by the concerned department for irrigation purposes yet they are facing drought-like situation.
Asif Ali Masoodi Exon Irrigation and Flood Control department division Kupwara said that he will verify about it—(KNO)