Keylong/Shimla: The tribal women from six affected panchayats have come together in Satyagrah as the state government lags in addressing the devastation caused by the unruly Jahalma Nalla and two other Nallas in the Lahaul valley.
Despite a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth ₹40 crore prepared by the Jal Shakti Department, the lack of progress on channelizing the flood-prone streams has left thousands of local in despair.
The women from Jahalma, Jundha, Nalda, Goharma, Jobrang, and Shansha panchayats have taken matters into their own hands, launching a movement demanding immediate action.
Tribal women on Satyagrah in Jhahlma
They’re calling on political and social organizations to strengthen their cause. Even women from Kothi Rapading and Gharbog have joined in, pressing upon the government to resolving the crisis that now threaten their habitats.
Leaders Visit, Action Awaits
Several top leaders, including Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, and ministers Anirudh Singh, Vikramaditya Singh, and Jagat Negi, have visited the region.
However, promises and reassurances haven’t translated into tangible relief.
Former minister Dr. Ramlal Markande and BJP leader Jawahar Sharma recently joined the *dharna* to express solidarity, underscoring the widespread concern.
Mounting Damages
The relentless flooding over the last three to four years has led to alarming destruction.
Villages at Risk: Lindur village is sinking, while several others like Jasrath, Haling, and Tadang have lost hundreds of bighas of land to floods. Agriculture Impacted: Standing crops and apple orchards are drying up due to waterlogging and lack of irrigation. Infrastructure in Peril: Temporary dams in the Chanderbhaga River have created more problems, with land submerging and cracks appearing in crucial bridges and roads, the lifelines of villagers.
The tribals Stand
Convener Sudarshan Jaspa said that residents have been raising concerns for years, yet no action has followed.
“If immediate measures are not taken, the next monsoon will devastate this region entirely,” he warned.
The women have pledged to continue their peaceful protest until the government allocates funds and initiates work based on the DPR.
Proposed Solutions
The protesters demand: 1. Immediate budget allocation for high-priority areas. 2. Temporary measures to prevent further damage during winter. 3. Utilization of riverbed resources, like stones and debris, to generate revenue for the project.
Mounds of silt has piled up along the Chandrbhagha river that can be auctioned to generate finds for the Jal Shakti projects.
The Clock is Ticking
The window for action is narrow. Winter will halt all work, worsening conditions until next summer.
The affected communities, primarily dependent on agriculture, cannot afford further delays. The people of Lahaul have spoken: If not now, then when?
While the government deliberates, the women leading this Satyagraha are unwavering in their resolve to safeguard their lands, livelihoods, and future battling the sub-zero freezing temperatures risking their lives.
Will their peaceful resistance push the government to act, or will bureaucratic delays continue to cost Lahaul its lifeline?
