Mebo MLA calls for urgent flood control projects for Eroded lands

Amid ongoing soil erosion along the left bank of the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng assessed the flood damage in Borguli village on Monday. Accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sibo Passing, Gaon Burahs (GBs), PRI members, and affected residents, Tayeng visited critical erosion sites in New Borguli and Old Borguli village areas.

Tayeng engaged with landowners and village leaders, who informed him about the extensive damage caused by the flooded Siang River. The affected individuals, including Tolo Tayeng, Odan Tayeng, Oying Lego Tayeng, and GB Tokong Tayeng, urged Tayeng to initiate a flood control project to protect the WRC fields threatened by erosion. They also appealed for immediate state government funding to construct boulder embankments along the riverbank to prevent further soil erosion.

During the visit, WRC field and cash crop owners in New Borguli expressed their distress over the loss of their primary source of sustenance due to the river’s erosion. Tayeng assured them that he would advocate for immediate construction of flood control guide bunds from New Borguli’s sericulture farm to the WRC field areas. He emphasized that the Siang River has already eroded approximately 100 hectares of village land annually, which he described as a significant catastrophe.

ADC Mebo distributed torchlights to the Gaon Burahs of Borguli village during the visit. Officers from WRD, PWD, PHED, and the electrical department, along with PPA Block President Upok Ratan, accompanied the MLA and ADC.

By Sonakshi Sarkar