Ban on lifting water from 2 Kolhapur rivers for farming

Kolhapur: Executive engineer of the irrigation department of Kolhapur (north) Smita Mane announced a ban on agricultural pumping machines that lift water for farming on both banks of the Panchaganga and Bhogavati rivers.The administration took this decision as the water level in the rivers was declining from the high temperature.The irrigation department also warned that if unauthorized extraction were found during the extraction ban period, the relevant agricultural pumping machine will be confiscated and the extraction license will be cancelled for one year.Mane said, "Lifting water will remain banned on all streams and drains on both banks, up to the confluence of Kumbhi and Bhogavati river on Thursday and Friday. The area prohibited will be on both banks of the Bhogavati River from Radhanagari dam to Shingnapur barrage, on both banks of the Kasari River from the downside of the Yavluj barrage to Shingnapur barrage,and the lower side of the Sangrul barrage over Kumbhi river."She also informed of a ban for water lifting machines using all the streams and drains on both banks of the Panchaganga River from the downside of the Shingnapur barrage to the Rui barrage, on both banks on the river, for agriculture purposes on Saturday and Sunday.Meanwhile, farmers from the villages along the banks of Panchaganga and Bhogavati river have warned to protest against the irrigation department office. Maruti Patil, a farmer associated with Irrigation Federation said, "It's peak summer season and how will farmers give water to the crops? We want the decision to be rolled back as soon as possible if not a strong protest will be launched."