Beneficiaries of Darnal irrigation channel in Tsirang’s Dunglagang Gewog have been grappling with repeated breakdowns of their irrigation channel caused by landslides in recent years. Farmers say seepage from drain water from roads and wastewater from a private farm located above the irrigation channel are causing the landslides. They are now calling for relevant agencies to determine the cause of the landslide and resolve the persistent issue.
For decades, the irrigation channel has been the only means to irrigate around 30 acres of wetland belonging to 13 households in Dangreybu Maed Chiwog.
However, today, it runs dry failing its purpose. Recurrent landslides have been disturbing irrigation for years.
This year alone, the stretch has witnessed three major landslides. The recent one completely destroyed the pipeline, burying it under debris and cutting off irrigation water.
Farmers attribute the landslide to seepage from the Dunglagang Dzongkhag road, a farm road, and a private farm located above the irrigation channel. They say the problem worsened after a contractor constructed an access road to recover a JCB machine that fell off during the blacktopping of the Dunglagang Dzongkhag road a few years ago.
Famers also allege that the Dunglagang Gewog Administration has not taken any measures to divert the drainage water despite an agreement made during one of the meetings in 2019.
“The gewog administration had agreed to work with relevant agencies on preventive measures. But nothing has been done so far at the site. We have worked hard, but the gewog administration has failed to address our needs. When we lodge formal complaints, they turn down our requests,” said Choba Dendup, Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
“A JCB machine was deployed to construct an access road below the Dunglagang road. Since then, the drain water from the road has been seeping underground, loosening the soil over the years. Similarly, the wastewater from fishery and poultry farms also seeps in, worsening the condition. As a result, landslides have repeatedly occurred,” said Raj Kumar Darnal, Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
“The fishery and poultry farms require constant flowing water and release wastewater frequently. The relevant agencies should help the farmer properly manage the wastewater. I feel that would address the irrigation problem for farmers living in the lower areas,” said Sangay Chojay, Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
The gewog officials, however, say they had consulted with the erstwhile Department of Roads’ Sub-Division in Tsirang but could not find alternatives to divert drain water. The gewog officials also recently visited the landslide site but could not ascertain the cause due to poor weather.
The Chiwog Tshogpa told BBS that they will inspect the landslide area in the coming days. The Tshogpa added that the gewog administration has allocated a budget to procure materials to renovate the irrigation channel.
Meanwhile, the livestock farmer refuted the allegations.
“We have informed farmers that we will allocate a budget to renovate the irrigation channel. During the recent Gewog Tshogde, we have allocated ngultrum two hundred thousand to mobilise renovation materials,” said Tek Bdr. Subba, Dangreybu Maed Tshogpa, Dunglagang Gewog.
“The water from my fishery pond is diverted to our paddy fields through pipes. There has been no overflow from the fishery pond as of now. At times, rainwater flows down, but the landslide area is far from it,” said Budhi Man Pradhan, Livestock Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
Farmers fear that their paddy production this year will be affected if the irrigation channel is not restored at the earliest. They transplanted their paddy a month ago, but the crop requires abundant water for growth.
“The paddy requires a lot of water. Without water, the crop cannot grow properly, and its production will be very poor,” said Tek Bdr. Darnal, Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
“It is impossible for us to restore the irrigation channel on our own. We will benefit to some extent only if the irrigation facility is restored within one to two weeks. We grow a local rice variety called Chotay, which yields well only with adequate irrigation,” said Sangay Chojay, Farmer, Dangreybu Maed, Dunglagang Gewog, Tsirang.
Frustrated with the issue, one of the farmers also appealed to the Tsirang District Administration and the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management in June and July, requesting immediate intervention.
The beneficiaries of the irrigation channel say, until experts inspect the site, determine the cause, and recommend a proper measure, the problem is likely to remain unresolved for years.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem
