Follow Us
Patna, September 13
A man in Bihar’s Gaya district has carved out a 5-km canal in over 20 years to bring irrigation water to the fields in his village.
The feat of Loungi Bhuiyan, a resident of Kolithwa village, makes one recall the toil of ‘Mountain Man’ Dashrath Manjhi, another native of Bihar who cut a road through a hill near his village in 22 years.
Bhuiyan was pained by the migration of youth from his drought-hit Kolithwa village, which was drought-prone, as it could not retain sufficient rainwater for irrigation due to its geographical location. The village is around 80 km from Gaya city and is surrounded by a forest area.
Vishnupat Bhokta, village head
In August 2001, Loungi Bhuiyan decided to dig a canal from a natural water source. He did a survey of the land and earmarked the canal route. The administration has named it Loungi Canal.
Since there were no job avenues except agriculture, a large number of village youths migrated to bigger cities in search of livelihood. Bhuiya was unhappy that mostly women and children were left behind in his village.
Village head Vishnupat Bhokta said, “In August 2001, he decided to dig a canal from a natural water source in Bagetha Sahwasi forest to the village. Bhuiyan knew the water source was enough to irrigate the agricultural land of villagers. However, it was a great challenge to bring water into the village.” “Bhuiyan did a survey of the land and earmarked the canal route. After working relentlessly for 20 years, he managed to dig the canal, which is 4-ft wide and 3-ft deep,” said Bhokta. — IANS
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
1
2
6
9