Riverbank erosion along the Hiranyakeshi in Jarli village limits of Gadhinglaj taluka, Kolhapur district, has reportedly damaged up to 30% of some farmers’ land, prompting demands for immediate protective work, official surveys and compensation.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena submitted a memorandum to Gadhinglaj tehsildar Hrishikesh Shelke, seeking urgent measures to stop agricultural land from being washed away by the river’s flow. The tehsildar has forwarded the representation to the irrigation department and instructed it to take action, according to a report by Sakal – Pune.
The affected farmland lies along the Hiranyakeshi River, where farmers say soil and sections of their holdings have been gradually slipping into the river during annual floods and other periods of strong water flow. The report said the river channel is widening as the erosion continues.
The affected farmers are largely small and marginal landholders. According to the representation submitted to the tehsildar, around 30% of the land belonging to each affected farmer has been lost so far. The continuing erosion is causing direct financial losses by reducing the area available for cultivation and removing fertile soil from the riverbank.
The MNS has demanded that the relevant authorities immediately inspect and measure the affected plots. It has also sought panchnamas, or official damage assessments, so that the extent of loss suffered by each farmer can be recorded and compensation can be considered.
The memorandum called for an investigation into the causes of the erosion and the implementation of preventive measures. Depending on site conditions, the organisation has proposed a protective wall or stone bund along vulnerable sections of the riverbank.
The demands place responsibility on multiple parts of the local administration. The tehsildar’s office is expected to coordinate the representation, while the irrigation department has been asked to examine the riverbank and act on the protection requirements. A formal survey and measurement would be necessary to establish the affected area and identify locations requiring structural intervention.
The delegation that submitted the memorandum included MNS district president Nagesh Chougule and farmers Sanjay Chougule, Shivgonda Patil, Vinayak Chougule, Vitthal Chougule, Ajit Chougule and Dundappa Chougule, among others.
The next steps identified in the representation are an inspection of the damaged land, preparation of panchnamas, assessment of the erosion and action by the irrigation department on protective works. The report did not provide details of an approved project, construction schedule or compensation already sanctioned by the authorities.
