Farmers feel the heat of climate change, river pollution
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj

Imphal, December 30 2023: Nivash Moirangthem is among many farmers who rely on the Kongba River for irrigation for rice cultivation and other crops in farm lands along the River banks.

Due to scanty rainfall in recent years and increase in the level of pollution of the River, annual crop yield has been dwindling consequently affecting livelihood of many farmers.

Forty six years old Nivash, son of Moirangthem Ibomcha of Kongba Makha Nandeibam Leikai lamented that in recent years, probably due to rainfall deficit and rise in the level of pollution of Kongba River, there has been wide spread crop diseases especially a disease locally known as "Waahik".

There are three mayor farmlands (Loukol) namely Uchekon Pat, Maning Pat and Loumanbi Takhok Pat spanning over 300 "Paris" which are fed by Kongba River, Nivash stated, adding that these farmlands are generally fertile by nature and used to provide yield of 40 to 45 bags of paddy from one 'Sangam' but in recent years one 'Sangam' of paddy field can produce hardly 30 bags.

According to a report published by PIB, Delhi based on information shared by Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, climate change reduces crop yield and lower nutrition quality of produce.

Extreme events like drought affect the food and nutrient consumption and impact the farmers.

"The climate change assessment carried out using the crop simulation models by incorporating probable climate condition in 2050 and 2080 projected that in the absence of adoption of adaptation method, rain-fed rice yield in India will reduce by 20 per cent in 2050 and 47 per cent in 2080 while irrigated rice yield is projected to decline by 3.5 per cent in 2050 and 5 per cent in 2080.Climate change is projected to adversely affect wheat yield by 19.3 per cent and 40 per cent in 2050 and 2080 respectively, while kharif maize yield is projected to fall by 18 and 23 percent respectively in the 2050 and 2080 scenarios," the report added.

Originating from the hill ranges of Senam Kom and Mapao Keithelmanbi in Sadar Hills (East) Block, the Kongba River passes through some of the densely populated areas in the plains especially residential pockets in Imphal East district such as Khurai, Porompat, Kongpal and Kongba Bazar before joining the Imphal River at Kyamgei Bashikhong Irong confluence in Imphal East.

By virtue of flowing through these populated areas, the River accumulates tons of garbage and untreated sewages thereby becoming one of the most polluted rivers in the state.

To make matters worse, scanty rainfall in recent years, deforestation in the catchment areas and drying up of natural springs in the river head has resulted in shrinking the River's size.

Nivash recalled that just a bouple of decades back the River used to retain clean and clear water even in winter months where he along with friends enjoyed swimming and fishing around.

During rainy season many fish species migrate from Imphal River and there was abundant fish population including some of the rare species such as Ngaton (Bangana dero), Sareng Khoibi (Botia.berdmorei), Nganap (Glyptothorax species), Ngasep (Mystuscavasius), Ngaril Laina (Anguilla bengalensis Gray), prawn (Khajing), etc., he recalled-while also expressing concern that the River which was known for abundance in mollusk and rocky snail (Lai Tharoi) has now become nothing but a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

He stated that owing to the present quality of water, people have stopped growing vegetable along its banks but farmers continue to depend on its water no matter how polluted it is as huge quantity of water is required for paddy Cultivation.

Even so, when there is scanty rainfall farmers continue to face extreme shortages of water, he stated, adding that many farmers have opted for other occupations as their farmland are producing lesser yields year after year.

He also expressed concern that encroachment in the form of construction of houses and other establishments including schools and colleges along the drainage systems the flow in and out of Kongba River often lead to inundation of large tract of farmlands at the slightest rainfall, including during the winter months.

He pointed out that due to the same reason Maning Pat Loukol has become water logged thereby hindering cultivation of winter crops as use to be the practice after harvest of paddy rice.

Referring to a statement by a sitting MP from the same locality as his, Nivash said that the parliamentarian had promised to revive Kongba River to its once majestic form, during his election campaign.

Nivash opined that if the promise is fulfilled, not only the people depending on Kongba River or the farmer, but the entire state will benefit and will become an icon for rejuvenation projects in future.

He also expressed that in case the government is committed to revive the River, implement stricter laws and punish those polluting the River, then and only then, the River can be revived.

(The report is filed under the 4th Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, government of Manipur) .

Comment