At the least 4 of the 5 income tehsils recognized in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district to rehabilitate 6,263 households displaced as a result of Pong Dam venture in Himachal Pradesh lie close to the India-Pakistan border, which implies a lot of the agricultural land is inaccessible as a result of safety considerations. This is among the many points highlighted in a 74-page inspection report submitted to the Himachal Pradesh authorities this week.
The inspection committee, led by Deputy Commissioner (Aid & Rehabilitation) Dr Sanjay Kumar Dhiman, additional raised considerations in regards to the land’s infertility, poor soil high quality in desert terrains, rising threats from land mafias and encroachers, and the dearth of an efficient grievance redressal system by the Rajasthan authorities. The report was submitted to Himachal Pradesh Income Minister Jagat Singh Negi on December 4.
“A good portion of the murabbas (25 bighas comprise one murabba) or agricultural land lies inside the border space. This area is intently monitored by the Border Safety Pressure (BSF) on the Indian aspect and the Pakistan Rangers on the opposite, making a tense ambiance. Strict vigilance on this border zone renders these lands almost inaccessible, complicating the agricultural actions very important for the sustenance of those communities,” the report factors out.
“Prolonged procedures and safety protocols concerned in accessing these border areas create vital limitations, leaving many plots uncultivated and underutilized. This exacerbates the financial struggles confronted by the oustees, resulting in a way of despair because the promise of resettlement stays unfulfilled amid the looming presence of border safety,” it provides.
The report additionally highlights the challenges in acquiring permissions to entry agricultural land, stating, “Furthermore, the method of acquiring id playing cards, crucial for accessing varied providers and rights, has confirmed cumbersome and fraught with obstacles. Prolonged bureaucratic procedures and a scarcity of clear communication additional complicate issues, leaving many people feeling marginalised and powerless. Securing these very important paperwork provides one other layer of hardship for the oustees, reinforcing their exclusion from the advantages anticipated from resettlement.”
1000’s of households have been displaced throughout the development of the Pong Dam in Kangra district. On the time, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan to rehabilitate folks in Jaisalmer, Ganganagar and Bikaner districts as water from the dam would irrigate these areas too. The rehabilitation course of, nonetheless, has dragged on over time, resulting in the matter touchdown earlier than the Supreme Court docket.
Underneath Section 2 of the rehabilitation course of, land in chaks (land areas located principally in rural areas) situated close to the border areas beneath Jaisalmer, Ramgarh, Mohangarh-1 and Nachna tehsils has been recognized for the displaced households.
A committee member informed The Indian Specific, “Many of the chaks chosen for land allotment are situated close to the posts of BSF, which is for the safety of border. These chaks are round 45km away from the border however there’s want a to acquire sure permissions to hold out agriculture and cultivation actions in these areas. These chaks are infertile and barren. The area’s topography is flat to softly undulating, typical of desert landscapes. Whereas the flat terrain may be advantageous for farming, the dearth of pure water sources and drainage creates a excessive dependency on synthetic irrigation. Occasional sand dunes additionally characterise the panorama, formed by wind erosion.”
Underneath the part titled ‘An Perception into Jaisalmer, Mohangarh-1, Ramgarh, and Nachna’, the report observes, “The examine space, encompassing the 4 tehsils of Jaisalmer district the place land has been allotted to Pong Dam oustees, is predominantly arid, characterised by huge stretches of desert and semi-desert terrain. Harsh weather conditions considerably have an effect on each the standard of life and the land’s productiveness for agriculture and habitation. This difficult atmosphere requires cautious planning and adaptive methods to enhance the well-being of resettled households.”
Commenting on the soil high quality, the report states, “The soil within the examine space is predominantly sandy and arid, with restricted natural matter, making it unsuitable for conventional agriculture. Excessive sand content material reduces the soil’s potential to retain moisture and important vitamins, making a difficult atmosphere for many crops. Moreover, the soil is commonly saline, which additional limits fertility and requires particular agricultural practices or soil remedies to mitigate.”
The report additional states, “This soil sort poses difficulties for residents who have been as soon as accustomed to extra fertile land, because it limits their agricultural choices and will increase farming prices. To boost productiveness, appropriate interventions—similar to including natural fertilizers, utilizing soil conditioners, and choosing drought-resistant crops—are important to enhance soil high quality and help sustainable agriculture.”
The inspection committee additionally included Jwali Sub-Divisional Justice of the Peace (SDM) Bachiter Singh and Income Officer Karm Chand Kalia. The crew visited the 5 tehsils between October 25 and 27, assisted by officers from the Rajasthan authorities.
Throughout Section 1, over 12,000 displaced households have been settled in a number of areas of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan years in the past.
