Srinagar, Mar 12 (KNO): There is no proposal at present to construct a lift irrigation scheme for the Karewa land for Rohmoo hamlet of South Kashmir's Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir government said on Wednesday.
Replying to the question of MLA Gh Mohiuddin Mir, Minister for Jal Shakti as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed that there is a huge Karewa land from Kamrazipora to Rahmoo and Rahmoo to Nowpora Nowgam having almond trees in Pulwama district but the maximum area of this karewa has now apple orchards while almonds cultivation is also done.
“This Karewa land doesn't have any stand-alone irrigation scheme. However, the farmers are using pumps/motors to lift the water from Khanchi Nallah essentially for pesticides sprays to their orchards. The Khanchi Nallah is having sufficient discharge to cater the requirements of farmers. Moreover, some bore wells have been explored to provide drip irrigation to the apple high density plantation as well,” the minister said.
He said that presently, the farmers are utilizing their own resources to lift water from Khanchi Nallah, it involves additional effort at their end.
“There is no such proposal at present to construct a lift irrigation scheme for the said Karewa land. Khanchi nallah has the potential to cater to the requirements of this Karewa land,” he said.
“To facilitate the fruit growers to some extent, the Department of Horticulture has provided 10 Deep Bore Wells and 62 Irrigation Pump Sets to the orchardists, however, as on date 05 borewells are functional. The drawdown of water table is the main reason for non-functioning of other borewells,” the Minister said.
“Part of the Karewa from Thokerpora to Rahmoo is also being irrigated from Novkhul-Mirgund gravity scheme,” he said—(KNO)