Villagers in Borguli, located in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district, are ramping up their voluntary flood control initiatives to safeguard their Wetland Rice Cultivation fields from the continuously encroaching Siang River, particularly as government funding remains delayed. With the monsoon season approaching, these community-driven efforts have been underway for more than two months, focusing on redirecting the river’s current and reducing soil erosion.
The initiative, recently supported by the newly established Siang Flood Warriors (SFW), embodies grassroots resilience amidst a lack of timely state intervention. This voluntary work commenced with local WRC field owners joining forces with other villagers, and has garnered both moral and logistical backing from local MLA Oken Tayeng and the Water Resources Department (WRD). The movement gained traction after the formation of the SFW during a memorial program at Government Middle School in Borguli on April 19, 2025.
Social worker Gekong Pertin leads the SFW, which has been instrumental in orchestrating the flood mitigation endeavors. Given that the powerful Siang River has already eroded hundreds of hectares from its left bank, the urgency of the situation is critical. To reinforce the community’s efforts, Executive Engineer Onit Panyang from WRD’s Pasighat Division, along with Assistant Engineer Mebo Alat Megu and other officials, visited the flood control sites to encourage volunteers and assure them of ongoing departmental support. As a personal gesture of solidarity, Panyang presented ₹50,000 to SFW leader Gekong Pertin to aid in their community efforts.
During the visit, Pertin highlighted the desperate circumstances faced by WRC field owners. He pointed out that, with no sanctioned flood control plans in place for the year, the villagers had no choice but to take matters into their own hands. Many community members, driven by a shared sense of purpose, have also contributed financially and offered vehicles like dumper trucks and JCBs to transport boulders from locations such as Silluk and Sigar.
While the WRD, in collaboration with MLA Tayeng, has submitted multiple proposals to address erosion issues in the area, the delays in funding approvals have left the local community exposed to the river’s threats. However, the determination of the villagers, bolstered by the SFW, serves as a formidable response to the advancing risks posed by the Siang River.
This grassroots initiative illustrates the urgent need for timely government action in climate-sensitive regions while showcasing the unwavering spirit of the Borguli community as they strive to protect their livelihoods and land.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/video/arunachalas-borguli-villagers-battle-siang-erosion-with-voluntary-flood-control-drive-1211269-2025-05-09?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-05-09 21:22:00
