Farmers pool in resources to build irrigation channel in Assam

DIPHU — For months, farmers in several villages in Howraghat, Karbi Anglong, faced the harsh reality of drought, their fields parched and their livelihoods threatened. But now, thanks to a remarkable display of community spirit, a lifeline has arrived– a 1.5 kilometre long earthen channel, dug by their own hands, bringing life-giving water to their fields.

It all began with the villagers of Gorokhiya Pukhuri, who refused to let drought defeat them. Three months ago, the Gorokhiya Gaon Unnayan Samiti (GGUS) members, led by Secretary Dharmendra Khaklary, President Dhanen Brahma, and Sarkari Gaonbura Dhurba Brahma, along with 15 other individuals, put their heads together and envisioned a way to bring water from the Dighalpani River to their thirsty fields.

Their initiative resonated with other villages along the proposed channel’s path as Gorokhiya Pukhuri, with its Bodo community; Chauhan Basti; Mohalisit (Samuguri), a Bengali village; and Durgapur village, where Karbi and Assamese villagers joined hands and pooled their resources.

On June 12, after careful deliberation with all stakeholders, the Samiti members opened four sluice gates on the Dighalpani River, located 7 km away in the hills of Chapong.

By Thursday, the water reached the parched fields and the villagers are now busy preparing their fields for paddy saplings.

After spending about INR 1 lakh so far, the channel is not yet complete due to a lack of funds. However, Samiti Secretary Dharmendra Khaklary is positive that the work will be completed soon. His only request is that the authorities help make the channel a reinforced concrete one.