Bhawanipatna: The famed Bhatrajore dam in Junagadh block of Kalahandi district that ensures the livelihood of thousands of farmers and supports habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna is getting choked.
According to reports, the landmark dam that irrigates farmlands in both Kharif and Rabi seasons is getting buried in the absence of any efforts to unclog it. The garden adjoining the dam is home to many rare butterfly and bird species, reports said. Sources said the Forest department has identified the dam for eco-tourism and has spent lakhs of rupees in improving the surroundings. However, no effort has so far been made to desilt the dam which is creating resentment among the locals. According to information, the construction of the dam began in 1958 and it was completed in June 1963. Initially, this dam was under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department.
However, from June 12, 2001, it was handed over to the Upper Indravati Project. Since then its upkeep has been envisaged under the Upper Indravati Project. The 671-meter-long dam irrigates around 1713.37 hectares of land in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Water from the dam reaches up to 10.2 km by the south channel, while its’ left channel carries water up to 4.2 km. The minimum water level in the dam has been recorded at 223.113 meters, while the maximum is at 225.552 meters. Generations of fishermen from many villages have benefited from the 61-year-old dam.
However, no de-siltation has been carried out in the reservoir since its inception. As a result, not only has the dam been getting filled by slush every year, but its water retention capacity is also decreasing gradually. At many places inside the dam, plants and shrubs have appeared and islands are showing up above water level. It is said that if remedial steps were not taken urgently, the irrigation system, fish population and natural beauty around the dam would be severely affected in the coming days. It is worth mentioning here that the people of Baxitulasipali, Meriabandhali, Charbhati, Dedar, Junagarh NACs and Kaleigaon panchayat of Junagarh block depend on this dam for their daily drinking water needs and irrigation purposes. It is alleged that while both the Forest Department and the Indravati authorities are trying to improve the dam’s surroundings, they are silent on the contentious issue of de-silting the dam. Indravati South Canal Assistant Executive Engineer, Nelson Tadingi said a DPR of Rs 4.11 crores has been prepared and sent to the government for the ‘environmental improvement’ of Bhatrajore dam. “Once approved, the work will begin,” he said.
However, he made it clear that right now there are no proposals for the de-silting of the dam. Locals meanwhile, demanded that the government should focus more on removing silt from the dam than beautifying its surroundings.