UP govt apathy may hit locals’ efforts to revive dry stream in Chitrakoot

However,allege the residents,the local administration was not showing any interest. The stream,called Singha Shrota,originates from a rocky terrain in Satya Narayan Guia village in Bargarh,nearly 20 km from Shankargarh in Allahabad. Meandering through more than six villages,including Kanhai,Pateri,Guia,Bhauti and Bargarh,the stream falls in Mada River near Chitai village in the same area.

“This stream remained perennial for long and is largely dependent on the catchment areas around it. However,in January it went dry,” said Abhimanyu Singh of Bundelkhand Shanti Sena,a part of Jal Biradari (a joint forum for organisations working towards revival of groundwater at local level). Singh was instrumental in getting the villagers to revive the stream.

When Singh’s team inquired,it came to light that a large number of Jamun and gular trees that stood along the stream were cut down over a period of time. “The villagers alleged the pradhan got the timber used as fuel for cooking mid-day meals. Three silted checkdams along the stream also add to the problems,” said Singh.

For the villagers,the stream is crucial because it helps them grow enough vegetables and some grains. The earnings from working in quarries fetch them barely Rs 40 per day.

Singh got a few women of the Guia village to begin work on removing the silt at the source of the stream on February 21. “By February 24,as more villagers had joined the cause,the source was revived. Over a period of time,up to around 500 metres is full of water. But the catchment areas around the remaining 2.5 km will also have to be revived to ensure the stream is perennial,” said Singh. He said the three checkdams,which too were heavily silted,continued to cause problems.

The villagers wanted the administration to bring the entire revival work under NREGA. “But the local administration was more interested in getting roads constructed,” said Singh.

“A little government support would go a long way in reviving the stream so crucial,” said Singh.

When contacted,DM Chitrakoot D K Gupta said the administration has initiated a watershed programme in the area. Singh,however,added the DM had visited the area and issued necessary instructions but the local administration was not showing any interest. “If the attitude of the administration does not change,we will launch an agitation,” said Singh.