CHARSADDA: Local farmers have rejected the government’s plan to construct small dams on canals in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They said that there was a risk of damage to canal system so small dams should be constructed in those areas where water flowed in canals and rivers throughout the year. “There is no water in the canals during winter season and even during monsoon due to which the small dam project is bound to fail,” they added.

The government has planned to launch a project of constructing small dams in Charsadda, Malakand, Mardan and Kohat districts on canals with the support of Asian Development Bank. Tender process for the construction of dams has been completed.

However, irrigation department is yet to issue a ‘no objection certificate’ for the construction of dams on canals. Work on construction of dams has not been started despite passing of several months owing to non-issuance of NOC.

Farmers said that the plan of constructing dams was prepared without consulting irrigation and agriculture departments. They claimed that secretaries of both the departments had also expressed their reservations about the project.

They termed the project an economic murder of farmers. They said that Pakistan was an agricultural country and agriculture depended on canal system.

Farmers said canal system of the district would be affected after construction of dams. They said that dams should be built in those districts where water was available throughout the year. They said that such a project would benefit people.

They said that similar projects were launched in Punjab province a few years ago but they failed.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2024