Ganderbal, Mar 27: The farmers in this district have expressed serious concern over falling of agriculture land to non-farming use.
 The farmers said even as the authorities have made some attempts to prevent conversion of farm land for commercial and residential purposes, “these attempts are quite inadequate.”
 The farmers said commercial constructions have been coming up fast on agricultural land in villages namely Sumbal, Barsoo, Kurhama, Manigam, Wusan, Kangan, Cherwan and adjoining areas. “These works have even blocked various irrigation channels affecting our agricultural practices,” they said.
 “This is not just the conversion of the land which is concerning us. What is hurting us more is the blockage of the irrigation canals. We appeal the authorities to take immediate steps for restoration of these canals,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a farmer.
  “The sowing season is just to start. Any delay to clear the irrigational canals can prove very harmful to us. Besides, it can bring down the production in the entire district,” said Ishtiyaq Ahmad.
 Ahmad urged the authorities to take cognizance of the issue and “depute personnel so that the irrigation canals are cleared.”
 Experts said: “Despite provisions like section 133A of the Land Revenue Act and Section 139 of the Agrarian Land Reform Act, the conversion of agricultural land is going on unabatedly in the area.”
 Tehsildar, Lar Altaf Ahmad said: “We will definitely look into the matter. We have only a couple of days ago dismantled a construction at Manigam, which was coming up at agricultural land.”
 He said: “We appeal the general public not to go for constructions on agricultural land.”
 Altaf assured that necessary steps would be taken soon to restore the blocked irrigation canals.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST