Maksam Tayeng
PASIGHAT, SEP 11:
Severe erosion caused by flooding in the Siang River has damaged Wet Rice Cultivation (WRC) fields and other agricultural land at Borguli village under Mebo Sub-Division in East Siang district, threatening the livelihoods of several farming families.
Taking stock of the situation, Monggu Banggo-I ZPM Bapiyang Tayeng, accompanied by WRD Mebo Sub-Division Assistant Engineer Bani Langkam and Borguli Gaon Burahs Nogen Yirang, Tokong Tayeng and Bidesor Perme, inspected the affected areas on Friday.
According to the inspection team, portions of Otil Tayeng’s WRC fields have already been eroded, while agricultural land belonging to Aki Tayeng, Golen Tayeng, Odan Tayeng, Joito Tayeng, Jin Tayeng and several other farmers is also under threat.
Villagers said recurring floods and the changing course of the Siang have already washed away large tracts of cash-crop plantations, bamboo groves and fertile agricultural land. The advancing erosion is now threatening WRC fields that provide food and income to many families in Borguli.
The WRD official and ZPM assessed the damage for preparation of a detailed report to be submitted to the authorities concerned.
Affected farmer Otil Tayeng said his agricultural land was the primary source of livelihood for his family and helped support his children’s education.
“The erosion has already reached my standing paddy field, and the remaining portion could be swallowed by the river at any time,” he said.
The affected villagers appealed to the state and central governments for immediate intervention, adequate compensation and construction of durable flood-control and erosion-protection structures. They called for a long-term solution to prevent further loss of farmland, standing crops and property.
Several other villages in the Monggu Banggo area of Mebo Sub-Division, including Namsing, Seram, Kongkul, Mer and Gadum, are also facing severe erosion caused by the Siang. Residents have repeatedly sought timely government intervention.
Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng said a proposal for a mega flood-control project along the riverbank from Sigar to Mer village was yet to receive sanction from the Centre.
“Without a mega project, it will not be possible to effectively mitigate erosion along the left bank of the Siang River under Mebo Sub-Division. Small-scale projects implemented at scattered locations will not resolve the concerns of the affected people,” he said.
The MLA said he had raised the concerns of affected communities with both the state and central governments and expressed hope that the state government under Chief Minister Pema Khandu would give due consideration to the needs of the 39th Mebo Assembly Constituency.
Tayeng said people in Lower Mebo had already lost portions of villages, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, electricity infrastructure, farmland and other livelihood-generating assets to the river.
He urged the authorities to undertake urgent and comprehensive measures to protect flood- and erosion-affected villages of Lower Mebo.
