Special Grass Planted in Riverbeds to Stop River Erosion at Deogaon Falakata

By Arunangshu Maitra (TNI Falakata) | TNI Editing Siliguri

Webdesk, TNI Falakata 8^th July, 2017: Steps are being taken to stop the riverbed erosion of at least 10 kms from North Deogaon to Harinathpur. The construction of artificial riverbed on River Mujhnai has started in this area under Deogaon Gram Panchayat of Falakata Block. Every year, river Mujhnai gets to its full throttle and the villages adjacent to the river are just swept away damaging crops and agricultural fields.

The Gram Panchayat Pradhan Mr. Sushil Das told TNI that the main problem of this village is the River. However, the innovative measure taken by the gram panchayat is that a special grass is being planted in the Riverside. Locally it is known as ‘Betiva Grass’. The specialty of this grass is that these grasses enter at least 12 ft into the soil and thus makes the soil firm and stops erosion to a large extent. The grass plantation is done under the 100-day work scheme. From the panchayat sources, it is learned that after a thorough examination if successful then more such grass will be planted.

Photos: Arunangshu Maitra (TNI)