Morigaon (Assam), Nov 10 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited Morigaon and Kamrup districts to review land reclamation projects and steps taken to strengthen river embankments and prevent erosion.
After inspecting projects to prevent riverbank erosion and reclaim land along the Brahmaputra river, he said Assam loses an estimated 8,000 hectares of land to riverbank erosion every year, even as siltation creates new land elsewhere.
“Our strategy has two parts: strengthening embankments to protect vulnerable areas from erosion, and developing newly formed land for productive use in agriculture and tourism,” he said on X.
In Morigaon, Sarma reviewed ongoing and proposed land reclamation projects at Chanaka. “With work on a 1,000-bigha project set to begin soon and another 1,500-bigha project proposed, three projects are being planned to reclaim 4,000–5,000 bighas in the region, opening up new possibilities for productive use of land,” the CMO said on social media.
The Water Resources Department has set an ambitious target of scientifically and technically restoring the erosion-affected stretches extending from Kashshila to Narsingha Hill and from Narsingha Hill to Ganesh Hill.
“Once completed, this ambitious project is expected to provide permanent protection to riverside agricultural lands and human settlements. It will also open up significant opportunities for agriculture and irrigation, bringing new prospects for the farming community,” an official said.
The chief minister also visited the proposed Kayatol project site in Kamrup to explore the scientific reclamation of over 2,000 bighas of land exposed by the shifting course of the Brahmaputra.
“The initiative aims to put reclaimed land to productive use for agriculture, industry and habitation, opening up new opportunities for Assam,” the CMO said.
The chief minister was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika and Water Resources Minister Sushanta Borgohain during the field inspection. PTI TR TR NSD
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