Excavation affecting agriculture in Kutch, says PIL

A PIL filed before Gujarat high court in connection with excavation of sand at Zarpara village in Mundra taluka of Kutch district claims that over 50-feet deep excavation work carried out by the contractor is affecting agricultural activity in the area and converting potable water into saline water.

The hearing of the petition took place on Tuesday before a bench headed by chief justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya. The court asked the petitioner, Murji Lakha Barot, to conclude formalities like placing of documents in English.

Barot's counsel Chetan Pandya submitted before the high court that the Kutch collector had issued contract for excavation to six individuals near Nagamati river in Zarpara village.

Pandya further alleged that the excavation work at some places was carried out up to 50 feet. Salty water had come up because of such deep and large-scale excavation work and the fact that Kutch creek is very near to the village. As a result of this, ground water was slowly being converted into salty water from potable water.

Farmers of the region are doing chickoo and date farming and the land over here is conducive for farming. However, saline water can destroy farming activities as the village  does not have any potable water source.

Countering the PIL, local geology and mining department submitted before the court that the excavation work was going on as per the norm. The department inspected the site and saw that no salty water was coming out because of the excavation work. In fact, the excavation work is instrumental for recharging ground water by harvesting rainwater.