Kolhapur: Anger is simmering across the sugar belt of western Maharashtra as farmers in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara oppose the irrigation department's sudden clampdown on the use of Krishna river sub-basin waters for agriculture. With barely 10% of sowing completed, the growers say the decision has struck at the very heart of the kharif season.
A similar restriction imposed on lifting water from the Ujani dam in Solapur has only added to the sense of crisis spreading across the region.
Despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis advising farmers to hold back on sowing, many pressed ahead, unwilling to miss the Rohini Nakshatra — the auspicious window that traditionally signals the start of the agricultural calendar. For generations, farmers have relied on this period to ensure timely harvests. Now, those who have already planted rice, jowar, bajra, maize, soybean, groundnut and pulses using river and well water fear their crops may wither before they take root.
“The impact is going to be devastating. If the monsoon doesn’t arrive, we will be forced into re-sowing rice, groundnuts and soybean crops planted during Rohini Nakshatra. Last year, our sowing was complete by this time. Today, uncertainty hangs over every acre,” Babasaheb Porlekar, a farmer from Kolhapur, said.
The farmers warned that months of labour and borrowed money could be wiped out in days if the irrigation department’s decision prevailed.
The Krishna sub-basin, fed by rivers like Krishna, Panchaganga, Warana, Bhogawati, Kumbhi and Kasari, forms the lifeline of these districts, supplying both drinking water and irrigation. But El Nino-driven rainfall deficit has left reservoirs and riverbeds depleted. With water levels falling and drinking water needs looming, the irrigation department has tightened controls, deploying flying squads to crack down on unauthorised lifting.
Sangli collector Mainak Ghosh has ordered strict enforcement. “Flying squads must inspect riverbeds, canals and embankments daily and take immediate action against illegal water extraction,” he said.
As enforcement intensifies, pressure is mounting on the administration. On Tuesday, members of the Irrigation Federation in Kolhapur submitted a list of demands to executive engineer Jyoti Devkar, urging authorities to lift restrictions till June 30 wherever water is available.
