THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj June 16: Does a small river go dry faster than a long length river?
The Batane river which is little over 13 km in length in Palamu, has stopped flowing. It has little pits of water in Chhaterpur region, while it is totally dry in Harihurganj.
In sharp contrast to this small river Batane in Palamu district, there is the North Koyel river, shortened form Koyel river.
Its total length from its origin is 350 km plus. In Palamu district, its length is 100 km plus.
Length apart Batane river and Koyel river have one thing in common. It’s their non-perennial status. Both rivers are rain-fed rivers.
Despite both being rain-fed rivers, Koyel river retains its life while the Batane just becomes lifeless.
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Officers Lead River Revival Effort
A young IFS officer Satyam Kumar who is the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Medininagar forest division and DDC Shabbir Ahmad, under the command of the DC Sameera S have taken upon the task of reviving the lifeless Batane river.
The team of Satyam Kumar and Shabbir Ahmad, having another IAS officer in guest appearance Sulochana Meena Sadar SDO last week made a marathon general assessment of the physical status of the Batane river.
A GIS technician Akancha was asked to prepare a geographic report of the Batane river by the DFO Satyam Kumar.
During the general survey at the Batane barrage the team had to abruptly withdraw flying of the drone over the barrage as there were bee hives around as the humming sound of the drone could have caused irritation to the bees to come out and bite people in sheer frustration.
None in the team had confronted with such a situation as Sulochana Meena who during inspection of the Amanat barrage at Panki had to scurry for life when a swarm of bees had attacked her some six or seven months ago.
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Degraded Riverbed Adds to the Challenge
The bed of the Batane river is rock ridden in Chhaterpur, it is somewhat plain in Naudeeha Bazar and in Harihurganj area it is all near a desert like plain where sands have been excavated at merciless speed.
Satyam Kumar who speaks in a common man’s language said, “Batane river bed is dry. So it is dry underneath. Our team is to ensure water on the bed. It will automatically recharge the underground water.”
DDC Shabbir Ahmad is all out for the sustainable development saying, “Economy of the human population is linked to river. A dry river cuts into the economy. We want this Batane river to flow round the year.”
