CHANCHAL GOLA/Ramnagar
The Chukum in the Ramnagar area of Nainital district continues to suffer from floods and other problems every monsoon. The villagers have been seeking relocation to another place sincve 1993 but no concrete action has been taken so far. Former Gram Pradhan Jasiram informed that about 147 in the village are affected by flooding every monsoon while human-wildlife conflict also takes its toll. Apart from this, agricultural land is also damaged when the nearby Kosi river overflows during the monsoon.
Every year, the village loses its road link to the rest of the district during the monsoon. Considering this, the Civil Supplies department provides the village with a three-month quota of ration in advance before the advent of the rains. The villagers also stock up on essential items before the monsoon starts. However, the villages are unhappy as they are not being relocated due to the unavailability of a suitable site.
Sub divisional magistrate Pramod Kumar said that a survey was conducted by the administration for relocating Chukum villagers to Kilawali, located in Udham Singh Nagar district. However, the villagers prefer to be resettled within the Ampokhara range itself. The matter has been brought to the attention of the district magistrate, and a solution is expected soon, he said.
Former Pradhan Jasiram said that the administration is attempting to shift the villagers to Kilawali in Udham Singh Nagar, but the community is not in favour of this proposal. They are seeking to be relocated to plot number 50 in the Ampokhara area.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the SDM reached Chukum on a tractor to assess the situation and interact with the villagers. Listening to their problems, he assured them of the administration’s support. He said that considering the rising water level in the river, arrangements are being made to set up tents near the village temple as a precautionary measure. These tents will serve as temporary shelters for the villagers, when needed.
