The scene at the sprawling tank in Atmakur mandal in Warangal district was heart-rending as hundreds of shattered fishermen gathered under the hot sun and swept the scattered dead fish to one spot.Lakhs of fish died as the tank went dry, thanks to farmers drawing all the water, dealing a death blow to over 200 fishermen families. "We paid the lease amount to the Revenue department to grant us permission to store one to two-foot water to nurse the fingerlings worth Rs 1.5 lakh let into the tank before onset of summer. However, under pressure from farmers, the officials released the entire storage," lamented M. Mallesham, chairman of the District Fishermen Cooperative Society.Had they grown, the fish from the tank would have fetched the society about Rs. 6 lakh and the money would have been distributed equally among the fishermen families.The farmers had been under tension as their paddy crop was fast withering, thanks to water scarcity and searing heat. As they enjoyed the support of political parties, the officials, not to be caught on the wrong foot, eventually decided to release the water.Ultimately it was the fishermen and their families who were caught in the "crossfire." The fish choked to death as the last drops of water flowed smoothly into the irrigation canals, leaving the tank dry.Mr Balaraju, society vice-chairman, demanded that the government come to the rescue of the fishermen who were deprived of a precious source of their livelihood.
The Hindu, 8th May 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment