Water Resources Minister Brolding Nongsiej has promised the plains belt region of West Garo Hills that he will take up the matter of riverbank soil erosion with the Brahmaputra Board in order to try and find ways to mitigate the effects of continual erosion of the Jinjiram River, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra.
Nongsiej said this today on a visit to erosion prone areas. He was accompanied by local MLA Azad Zaman and officials. This was the first visit of the minister to Garo Hills’ plains belt.
The minister’s visit comes after several complaints and appeals made by Zaman on behalf of his constituents who fear the loss of their land by the erosion of riverbanks.
Many villages, including Quijani, Rajpur, Old Bhaitbari and Gomaijhora, among others, have lost huge tracts of land due to the rivers flooding their banks. The situation for the local populace has become critical as those displaced have to take shelter elsewhere when the waters rise. At times they have to set up temporary homes on Aking land belonging to the indigenous Garo community and this, it is feared, could cause tensions to rise.
“We are happy that the minister has come to visit and assured us that he will look into the matter. The situation is rather critical and requires immediate attention. Many have lost their lands due to the floods every year and will continue to do so if no action is taken in this regard,” said Zaman.
Furthermore, Nongsiej also visited two other irrigation projects in Gomaijhora and Quijani under Rajabala constituency.
