Several springs originating from hilly areas are connected to the lake at Gaonkarwada in Verem-Vagurme. In recent years, the rampant growth of vegetation around the lake has not only obstructed the path of the springs, but also prevented the lake water from flowing into a nullah, which is used for irrigation.
Hundreds of farmers from Gaonkarwada depend upon the lake water for cultivating their fields. Many farmers have had to give up farming as the thick vegetation around the lake restricted their water supply.
The farmers are in distress and have urged the government and panchayat to clean up the lake and develop it with the aim of promoting and restarting farming activities.
The lake is situated in a residential area in Gaonkarwada, Verem-Vagurme. Three places, known as Bande, Mulak and Valak, consisting of agricultural land of 3 lakh square metres and once cultivated by hundreds of farmers, is now fallow due to lack of water supply, despite the village having many water resources. Only few farmers are cultivating their paddy fields with the little water that they can obtain from the lake.
Locals Ashok Prabu and Prajyoth Prabu said that local farmers were interested in cultivating their paddy fields and wanted the government and panchayat to help clear the bushes that are obstructing the flow of water from the springs and lake.
Ashok said, “The Agricultural Department should visit and survey our lake and vast fields. We have an abundance of water resources, but can’t use them as many trees and bushes have encroached on the lake basin and the mouth of the springs. Former Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane used to conduct block-levels meetings in villages with officers and farmers to promote farming. The same procedure should be adopted by the BJP Government and schemes should be provided for tilling farmland. We want a protection wall for the lake not made out of concrete, but a rubber fence so that the springs release their water. Besides bushes, some concretization done by the government has affected a spring that was releasing the most water to the lake. We want measures to rectify the mistake.”
Senior citizen Bhanudas Prabu said, “Three large farmlands of around 3 lakh square metres, which were being cultivated by hundreds of farmers and were known as Bande, Mulak and Valak are fallow due to lack of supply of water despite the village being enriched by water resources.”
