Farmers along the Bhima river in Maharashtra have sought the immediate release of water from Ujani dam, saying dry riverbeds are threatening crops, drinking-water access and livestock in villages dependent on the river system.
The Bhima River Rescue Committee and affected farmers submitted a memorandum to Agriculture Minister Dattatray “Dattamama” Bharane at Indapur on Sunday, October 18. The memorandum called for water from Ujani dam to be released into the Bhima river after planning the available storage to meet the needs of downstream villages.
According to the memorandum, farming in several villages along the river depends on the availability of water in the riverbed. With stretches of the river reported to be dry, farmers are facing difficulty in maintaining existing crops and planning upcoming cultivation. The uncertainty has also raised concerns about crop losses and the financial pressure on agricultural households.
The water shortage is not limited to irrigation. Farmers said they are also having to arrange drinking water for families and water for cattle. The committee said that the absence of water in the river is affecting day-to-day agricultural work and has made it harder for residents to plan their next crops.
The farmers have asked the Water Resources Department to take an urgent decision on releasing water into the Bhima. They have also sought a clear schedule for water releases and distribution, rather than a one-time or temporary intervention. The memorandum called for water planning based on the requirements of farms along the river and for permanent measures to ensure regular availability.
The committee requested that Bharane discuss the matter with Water Resources Department officials and work towards a decision based on the needs communicated by farmers. It said that restoring flow in the Bhima could help address irrigation requirements as well as drinking-water and livestock needs, at least to some extent.
The memorandum was signed by Ashok Magar, Tukaram Ghogare, Dnyandev Bagal, Mahadev Shinde and Suresh Shinde. The farmers’ immediate demands are the release of Ujani water into the Bhima, planned allocation for riverbank agriculture, publication of a release timetable and long-term measures for regular water supply to downstream farming communities.
