Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Sep 4: Severe erosion along the Siang river has caused extensive loss of agricultural land in several villages under Mebo sub-division of East Siang district, raising serious concerns among farming families over their livelihoods and future.
The continuing erosion, reportedly aggravated by flooding, has already washed away large stretches of cash crop areas and bamboo groves in vulnerable riverbank villages. The situation has become particularly alarming in Borguli, where valuable wet rice cultivation (WRC) fields are now reportedly facing the direct threat of being swallowed by the river.
The affected villagers have appealed to the government for immediate intervention and sought permanent flood-control and riverbank protection measures, including strengthening of embankments, to prevent further loss of farmland and property.
Local resident Otil Tayeng pointed to the extensive damage caused by the advancing erosion. He said he had already lost around eight acres of bamboo plantation, which was an important source of income for his family.
Tayeng said his agricultural land remains the primary source of livelihood for his family and helps him meet household expenses and support the education of his children. With the river continuing to eat into the riverbank, he expressed apprehension that the remaining farmland could also be lost if effective protection measures are not taken soon.
According to him, erosion in the area began in 2021 and has intensified over the years, posing an increasing threat to agricultural land and settlements along vulnerable stretches of the riverbank.
The villagers have urged Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng and Chief Minister Pema Khandu to accord priority to the issue and initiate immediate measures for permanent embankment reinforcement and other scientifically designed flood and erosion-control works.
With the Siang continuing to threaten productive farmland and the livelihoods of local communities, residents called for a long-term and sustainable riverbank protection strategy to prevent further loss of agricultural land and property.