Haryana's Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, conducted a crucial visit to Paplotha village in Ambala district on Tuesday. The purpose was to personally review the severe situation caused by persistent waterlogging from the Begna river, a tributary of the Markanda river known for its seasonal flooding.
Farmers Report Extensive Crop Damage
During his on-ground assessment, Minister Rana held direct interactions with local farmers and residents. They presented a grim picture, detailing extensive damage to crops across hundreds of acres in Paplotha and nearby villages. The destruction followed heavy rainfall and subsequent inundation from the overflowing Begna river. The villagers highlighted a recurring nightmare where floodwaters breach into agricultural fields and residential areas annually, escalating their financial and personal losses each time.
Key Grievance: Lack of River Maintenance
A primary issue raised by the community was the absence of regular desilting and cleaning of the Begna riverbed over the past several years. This neglect has led to significant silt accumulation, drastically reducing the river's carrying capacity. Consequently, the flooding during the monsoon season has intensified, worsening the waterlogging crisis for the surrounding areas.
Minister's Directives and Assurance
Responding to these urgent concerns, Minister Rana gave immediate assurances. He directed officials from the irrigation department and the local administration to take prompt measures to prevent further waterlogging. A key instruction was to ensure the regular cleaning and maintenance of the river channel to restore its flow capacity.
"The government is committed to providing relief to farmers affected by waterlogging and flooding," Minister Rana stated. He emphasized that concrete steps would be implemented to mitigate the recurring damage. The minister clarified that this visit was part of a larger statewide exercise to evaluate crop losses, with government teams deployed across Haryana to gather first-hand damage assessments.
Broader Advice on Farming Practices
Beyond the immediate crisis, Minister Rana also addressed sustainable agriculture. He urged farmers to avoid stubble burning and instead adopt improved crop residue management practices for environmental protection. Further, he advised reducing the excessive dependence on chemical pesticides and insecticides, advocating for a shift towards sustainable and natural farming methods. He noted that the state government has launched several schemes to promote natural cultivation and provide incentives for eco-friendly practices.
The Begna river has a long history of overflowing during monsoons, with similar incidents in recent years damaging farmlands, homes, and highways in Ambala and neighbouring regions. While farmers welcomed the minister's assurances, they stressed the critical need for swift and effective implementation of promised measures to prevent future losses.
