Causes sharp drop in water levels; farmers hit
Water from check dams being deliberately released to facilitate illegal sand mining.
VALPOI
Illegal activities linked to sand mining in Sattari taluka have intensified, with miscreants reportedly removing plates from check dams. This has led to a sharp fall in water levels, severely impacting agriculture and horticulture in the region. Despite attempts by the Irrigation Department to curb the issue, the measures have so far failed to yield results. Farmers from panchayat areas such as Savarde, Nagargaon, Bhironda, and Khotoda are facing substantial losses and are calling for urgent intervention to halt these activities.
Check dams constructed by the Irrigation Department across rivers in Sattari have played a vital role in water conservation. For over 15 years, these structures have supported lift irrigation schemes, enabling consistent water supply to farmlands. Rainwater collected during the monsoon is stored and distributed through pipelines during the winter and summer months, typically lasting until late May.
Recent reports point to a significant drop in water levels in the Velus–Mahadev river belt. This has caused many irrigation pumps to stop functioning, bringing lift irrigation systems nearly to a halt. Farmers have been increasingly worried over the past two weeks. Local sources allege that certain individuals intentionally remove check dam plates to release stored water, facilitating illegal sand extraction from riverbeds. This not only wastes valuable water but also disrupts irrigation for farming.
The problem is compounded by rising incidents of theft of check dam plates. Over the last five years, multiple such cases have been reported. Plates that are removed and kept along riverbanks during the monsoon are often stolen, making it difficult to reinstall them later. This leads to ineffective water storage due to leakages and incomplete dam structures, directly affecting irrigation.
Farmers in Savarde, Nagargaon, Bhironda, and Khotoda report that the declining water supply is already harming crops and plantations. April and May are critical months for irrigation, and the ongoing shortage is causing crops to dry up.
Given the severity of the situation, farmers have urged both the Irrigation Department and the police to take immediate and strict action against those involved in illegal sand mining, and to ensure proper protection and maintenance of check dams.
