No takers for silt extracted from Mandya lakes

Farmers want only fertile creamy layer, not dry soil

With almost all the lakes in the district becoming bone dry, the district administration has taken up desilting of lakes under Kere Sanjeevini project.

The disposal of soil after desilting has, however, become a bane for contractors as farmers, who used to collect it earlier, have rejected it now.   As many as 14 lakes have been identified from seven taluks (two lakes in each taluk) and works have been initiated in Chikkakere of Basaralu village and Singari Katte lake at Nanjenahalli.

The soil removed from dry lakes is fertile, rich in minerals and can be used for agricultural lands but despite contractors appealing to farmers to collect the soil, no one has shown interest.

As a result, the soil is being dumped at government lands and on roads. Speaking to DH, contractor Nandeesh said that earlier, farmers used to voluntarily collect the soil in their bullock carts as it is very fertile and helps in getting good yield but now they are not ready to collect the soil.

Hence, it has become inevitable for them to dump it at Varakodu temple premises and on nearby roads.

No tractors to transport

Farmers, however, have a different story to tell. Farmer Ningegowda of Kenchanahalli explained that only the creamy soil after good rains is considered fertile and good for agriculture.

Due to drought, no water flowed into the lake and the soil has turned dry and dusty and is unfit for agriculture. But the soil can nevertheless be used to cover roots of coconut trees that get exposed as the tree grows taller.

Farmers say that they need tractors, bullock carts to transport the soil but most of them have sold their vehicles and it is difficult for them to hire. Two lakes in Maddur taluk are being desilted. While farmers have taken the soil from Byadarahalli lake, there are no takers for Kundanakere lake soil.

Zilla Panchayat Engineer Ramakrishna said that the decision of farmers has not affected the desilting works. The soil is being dumped at government lands and on roads, he said.