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Survival of the fittest: Villagers forced to build makeshift homes over trees

The villagers of Bagder Bagicha in Sabour block – 15 km from Bhagalpur city have started building makeshift homes over the trees and on rooftops so that they can save their family members during the flood, writes ETV Bharat Patna Bureau chief Amit Bhelari.

Survival of the fittest: Villagers forced to build makeshift home over trees
Survival of the fittest: Villagers forced to build makeshift home over trees
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Published : Jun 17, 2021, 3:10 PM IST

Updated : Jun 17, 2021, 3:47 PM IST

Bhagalpur: The famous phrase which originated from Darwinian evolution theory “Survival of the fittest '' suits the people of Bagder Bagicha as the apathy of the government has taught them the lesson of survival.

People living in these flood-prone areas have learnt the art of survival by building makeshift homes. The villagers of Bagder Bagicha in Sabour block – 15 km far from the Bhagalpur city have started building makeshift homes over the trees and on rooftops so that they can save their family members during the flood.

They had least expectation from the government during the time of misery as the villagers claimed that they hardly got any relief material from the government officials.

Also read: Flooding an annual phenomenon in Bihar

“Every year this area is flooded and we do not have any option except building a makeshift home over the trees and on rooftops. We don't even get relief material from the government during that time. Few years back we had received the relief materials but that was not enough, “said Pako Devi, a villager of the Bagder Bagicha.

Villagers forced to build makeshift homes over trees

In 2016, the villagers had faced a devastating flood and to save their lives they had to build makeshift houses over trees. Since then, the villagers of Bagder Bagicha are also referred to as Bagder ke Pakshi (Birds of Bagder).

Also read: 730 doctors died in COVID-19 second wave, Bihar reported maximum fatalities: IMA

During the flood time, the water level of up to 10 feet accumulates in the area due to which the villagers are forced to relocate themselves over the trees to save their lives. Unfortunately, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government who takes pride in constructing roads and bridges in the last 15 years could not construct roads in this locality.

If someone wants to reach this village, there is not even a concrete road and one has to walk on the narrow trail. This is one of the major reasons that the relief material does not reach Bagder Bagicha as the village is completely cut off from the district headquarters.

“Fifteen years back, the flood of river Ganga gulped my Rajapura village. Since then I shifted to this village but here also we face great difficulties of food and shelter, “said Meera Devi of Bagder Bagicha.

They are basically the residents of Ranjandipur Panchayat and over 116 families reside in the village. However, as per the government data there are a total 350 displaced families in this area. They are living here in the hope that one day the government will provide them proper food and shelter. They do not move to other places due to fear of losing the present one.

Also read: Rift intensify within LJP: Clash between Chirag & Paras supporters in Patna

Last Updated : Jun 17, 2021, 3:47 PM IST

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