Locals in fear as Ganges soil erosion engulf acres of land in Malda

Soil erosion along the Ganges in Malda has returned yet again as the Monsoon rains lash West Bengal. The situation is such that traditional households, who have their houses overlooking the River are now voluntarily dismantling their structures brick by brick in an effort to save whatever they can before the swirling waters engulf their land and property.

Malda (West Bengal):Soil erosion along the Ganges in Malda has returned yet again as the Monsoon rains lash West Bengal. The situation is such that traditional households, who have their houses overlooking the River are now voluntarily dismantling their structures brick by brick in an effort to save whatever they can before the swirling waters engulf their land and property.

As Abdur Razzak was watching a tractor collecting the bricks of his broken house, he was wondering where to set up his new house. Erosion has already engulfed around 16.5 acres of farmland. He had sown jute seeds over 5 acres of land adjacent to his residence. The growth of jute was extremely encouraging. However, that encouraging factor did not last long as erosion engulfed the entire 5 acres of land. His residence might be engulfed at any time. So before it happens he has decided to dismantle his house and shift to a safe place.

Razzak is not the only person to face such a disaster. Around 200 families of Balutola in the Malda district of West Bengal are heading for a similar disaster. As dawn breaks out every day, the work of dismantling the houses starts. At times, the residents look at the reason for the disaster, the Ganges.

But once the river was far away. Those in Balutola, willing to take a holy dip at the Ganges, used to travel over 10 kilometres to reach the river bank. That river has now reached the doorsteps. Just a small stretch of jute field is between the bank and the homes of the people. Early erosion has become yet another headache for the people. This menace will continue for another two months as a result of which the slightest hope for saving the land perishes.

Abdur Razzak said, "The situation is grave this year. So before the Ganges engulfs our homes, we are dismantling them. I lost 50 acres of land already. Farming is my only source of income. From my income from farming, I have been able to educate my five sons and two daughters. Now I do not know how to fund their further studies. No one from the administration has enquired as yet. The local MLA was informed. But even he did not come for even once. We are homeless now. In the locality I say, the work of dismantling around 100 houses are on. We have lost everything".

Erosion has engulfed around 3 acres of land owned by Mansukh Bibi. Her husband is paralytic. Her children stay separately. She is also dismantling her house before it gets engulfed by erosion. "The river is almost at our doorsteps. I have lost my entire land. I want just two acres of land so that I can resettle. One government employee came to meet me yesterday and handed over one tarpaulin. How can four people manage with that? I also have nothing to cook," she said.

The experience of Sonavan Bibi is nothing different. "Because of the erosion, we have to dismantle our own houses. There is no other alternative. We have got no alternative shelter yet. We even do not know what we will eat in the coming days. The local MLA is yet to come here. If he comes we will appeal for arrangements of alternative shelters," she said.

Even the Balutola panchayat member, Sofikul Haque, is looking for shelter. "Erosion has engulfed around 200 houses. All are poor people. I am also dismantling my house. No one from the administration has come as yet despite knowing everything. Some tarpaulins have been provided. But those are not enough to accommodate all. We want rehabilitation," he said.

On Tuesday, the Minister of State for West Bengal Irrigation department, Sabina Yasmin came to the area. She said, "It is impossible to arrange for rehabilitation now. We have to look for alternative government vested land. We are thinking about the issue of rehabilitation".