-Siddharaj Bhatta
Dhangadhi, December 16: As many as 1,517 households from 17 communities in Dhangadi sub-metropolis of Kailali district are very happy since their farmlands, mostly those on riverbank, have been protected after adoption of ingenious biological embankment technology.
Maniram Chaudhary is one among them whose land at Bisanpur village was twice swept away by the flood in Mohana River in 2008 and 2009. But, following the construction of bamboo-based bio-embankments, his lands are protected against soil erosion.
“Initially I did not believe that bio-embankment could really protect the land from soil erosion,” said Maniram, adding,” Buoyed by its effectiveness, we are going to install such embankments in other places too.” Similarly, Bhagiram Chaudhary and Jit Bahadur Chaudhary also shared their happiness as well as stories of how they shielded their land from the soil erosion. Bhagiram said, “The bio-embankments also turned out to be effective to control damage to the cemented boulders spur built along the riverside to prevent soil erosion.” Dhangadi sub-metropolitan city in assistance of the Red Cross Society and Mercy Corps implemented the bio-embankment construction project in various riverside areas in Bhajani, Chire rural municipality and Kailari Rural Municipality under the Disaster Management Programme.
Disaster Management Project, Kailali’s Programme Director Kalidas Joshi explained, “Bamboos and sand-stuffs sacks are constructed in the first part of the riverbank while a special species of plant (Kaas) is planted in the second part, which prevents soil erosion. Then sugarcane is planted in the land of riverside.” In bio-embankment, the river banks are protected and soil stabilized through the simple and practical solutions using local vegetation. It is cost-effective in terms of establishment and maintenance, eco-friendly, people-oriented and sustainable.
Such embankments were constructed at Nuklipur, Lalitpur, Mohanpur and Bhajani municipalities of Dhangadi sub-metropolitan city using the local resources and human resources, according to Dhangadi sub-metropolitan city’s Mayor Nripa Bahadur Od. Moreover, early warning system on flooding has been put in these places, further helping in reducing the disaster damages, informed Maniram, who oversees the system. A similar practice has been implemented in Kanchanpur, Baitadi, and Dadheldhura in Far West State. RSS
