Newa Pulwama farmers claim loses as paddy saplings dry up due to water scarcity
Pulwama: Farmers in the villages of Newa, Maloora and Singu Narbal in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are staring at a looming agricultural disaster as their paddy saplings are drying up due to a severe lack of irrigation.
The affected residents allege that illegal encroachments on the main irrigation canal have choked the flow of water, disrupting the entire cultivation season.
These villages, dependent on paddy cultivation for their livelihood, have thousands of kanals under rice crop. However, without a steady water supply, the fields have begun to wither under the blazing summer sun.
Farmers are now demanding immediate intervention from the administration.
“Our saplings are drying right in front of our eyes. There has been no proper water supply this season. Despite several complaints to the irrigation department, nothing has been done,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer from Newa Maloora.
Locals allege that the irrigation canal, which is the lifeline for agricultural activities in the area, has been encroached upon by individuals who have either blocked the flow or diverted the water for personal use. These encroachments, they say, have worsened over the years.
“Every year, we request the authorities to remove the illegal structures along the canal. They send teams who take photos and promise action, but once they leave, nothing happens,” said Abdul Rashid, another farmer from Singu Narbal.
According to the farmers, the delay in restoring water supply could lead to a total crop failure, inflicting heavy financial losses and pushing already struggling families deeper into economic distress.
“We have no other source of income. If the paddy fails, how will we survive the coming winter?” questioned Shakeela Bano, a woman farmer from the area.
The villagers also pointed out that the canal has not been desilted properly for years, leading to further reduction in water flow.
Despite repeated appeals, they claim the irrigation department has failed to address the problem with seriousness.
Meanwhile, the farmers have once again sought attention of concerned MLA and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, in this regard.
