बिहार विधनसभा चुनाव 2020

 Mokama Taal is situated 90 kilometers away from the Bihar capital city Patna, which is part of central Bihar. It is ephemeral in nature and comprises a group of seven continuous taal. The seven taal are Fatuha taal, Bakhtiarpur taal, Barh taal, More taal, Mokama Taal, Barhariya taal and Singhaul Taal. It starts from Fatuha in the west to Lakhisarai in the east. It covers the 1062 sq. Kilometers and their width are 6 Kilometers to 17.6 Kilometers. This part basically comes under the Kiul Harohar basin. After the monsoon whole area has water up to 4 meters to 6 meters. 

Bihar northern and southern parts having two different weather conditions. The two different weather condition is one of the main reason for the high density of water in the taal area. It is situated in central Bihar. 

The taal region has a high yield rate of crops but due to water stagnation, it fails to produce at its capacity. Mokama Taal is the second biggest producer of lentils. It is also known as Lentil Bowl. It can feed the whole country for six months. The varieties of lentils produce are Masoor Daal, Moong Daal, Chana Daal, and other varieties. 

Due to lack of better drainage facility the whole region has to be submerged into water for more than four-month. In case if the water takes a long time to recede the farmers have to suffer due to this. They will unable to sow the seed on time. Basically, 15 October is an ideal time to do so but for the last three years, it is done in the month of November. There was a tradition in taal that during the time of the holy festival chhat the devotees used to have chana saag but now we start sowing our crops after chhat. 

One Lakh farmers and five lakhs labors are dependent on these crops. Labors from neighbour state Jharkhand are called for help in the cultivation process. According to the Newslaundary report if the crops yield goes well they earn rupees 7 to 8 lakhs from lentils.

The major reasons for waterlogging in the taal area are Low lying land it means the land of the taal is on the low side toward the rivers, the carrying capacities are also low, backflow of Ganga toward the Punpun, and absence of drainage channels and irrigation system. 

Many development programs were introduced by many different states as well. First was Mokama Drainage Scheme in 1969 then the Irrigation minister Dr. KL Rao visited the taal area. He checked the work of building embankments on the right side of Punpun and both side of Harohar rivers to check the water of Ganga.

In year 1988 Mr N Sanyal committee submitted the report, named Mokama Taal Technical Cum Development Committee. The committee said that people should cultivate some water-resistant Kharif crops. It also suggested doing tube-wells and lift irrigation. According to gaonconnection report, people said till no Sanyal committee report is not executed on the ground.  People want this committee should be implemented because it gives security for a long period of time. 

Silt is also one of the main reasons for waterlogging. After the monsoon flood in North Bihar, the small rivers brought silt to Ganga after that jam has been created the flow of water gets slow. Many experts say the main reason behind the building of Farakka Barrage after its creation was the silt problem that arose in the river Ganga. Deposition of silts is enhancing the concern of the people. 

Ganga Udbhav Yojana is one of the most ambitious project of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Under this project, the 190 kilometers long water pipe will be made through which the Holy Ganga water will be taken to four districts like Gaya Bodhgaya Nalanda and Nawada. The water will be discharged from the taal region so the taal region will not hold the water for a longer time. The government is saying this will help to maintain the water table of those districts which have water deficit issues.  People of taal region have concerned that those districts are joined through this pipeline project their water in monsoon come to their region only then why not the government should stop those water their only.  

I talked to the convenor of Taal Samiti Anand Murari, asked him about the promise which was made by the Water resources minister that the water will be taken out during the monsoon. There is only one way of drainage of water is through Harohar. He told me nothing such things are happening, he is a minister he can say anything. About Ganga Udbhav Yojana he said that government has huge money as they wish they use it, This project will change nothing to taal areas. The government is not taking our problems seriously. they should plan aloof for the taal region.