Authorities curtail water discharge to vital canals in Anantnag
Anantnag: Apple growers in Anantnag are going through tough times as authorities have curtailed water discharge to various vital canals that used to provide water for irrigational purposes during the harvesting season.
Growers from different areas of the district said authorities have diverted water of Dadi canal and Mehand canal during the harvesting season when the farmers needed it the most.
“This move by the authorities has led to several problems arising for the farmers,” they said.
They added that apple picking season is at its peak and the growers need water in their orchards due to unknown reasons, water has been diverted.
Residents of Khiram, Srigufwara, Sirhama, Nowshera, Mehand, Wopzan, Kanelwan, Dupatyar and many other villages said that they are facing difficulties as authorities diverted water which was otherwise meant for the vital canals during the harvesting season.
Mohammad Amin, a resident of Sirhama said that authorities should not have divert water that used to flow through these vital canals during peak harvesting season.
“We need water for different purposes in our orchards in harvesting season, so authorities must reconsider their decision,” he said.
He alongwith the locals requested the concerned authorities to look into the matter at an earliest so that the growers can heave a sigh of relief.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer Irrigation Division Anantnag, Ghulam Hassan Ganaie admitted diverting water to some other canals.
“The water was diverted after some locals approached us and asked us to divert water to some other irrigation canals so that the farmers could harvest paddy,” he said.
“We will look into the matter and take a decision that won’t harm either fruit growers or other farmers,” he added.
Jahangeer Ganaie
