Kuhls are said to be the lifeline of District Kangra. In dry season Kuhls support the agriculture and help in maintaining the rural ecology and economy . Nearly 300 years old Kuhls irrigation system is facing multiple challenges from rapid urbanization and climate change. Hydro Projects are also threatening the Kuhls. Old school of schoolers has already declared Kuhls a dead system. But new generation still has hope either in reviving the old system or at least maintaining the status quo.
National Highways and Kuhls
Mandi -Pathankot National highways passes through the fertile plain of Kangra, near the Dhauladhar range. The region is already facing intense population pressure and construction of National Highways has intensified the problems by disturbing the regional farming sytem and Traditional Knowledge based Kuhls irrigation system.
Mandi Pathankot highways enter the Kangra Plain near Shahpur. It passes through- Rait Fan-Kangra Fan and Palampur Fan. The Large number of Kuhls have been destroyed in the process of construction of highways. National highways artificially divide the fertile zone from mid, leaving half the area without any kuhls. Although NHAI has promised that Kuhls natural flow will not be alerted and in due course company will re-build old Kuhls Channels. However farmers of Nagrota Bagwan have already started protest against NHAI for not fulfilling the promise made in past.
Protest again NHAI for destroying the Kuhls
In last few months farmers have stage the protest at least 3-4 times, and every time farmers return after getting promise from NHAI and local authority, but unfortunately company failed to build the Kuhls. Most impacted area located in Rait and Nagrota Bagwan and construction of highways yet has not begin in Kangra and Palampur region. Both Palampur and Kangra has number of Important Kuhls and problem is further going to be aggravated in upcoming months.
NHAI constructed Nala washed away the Farmers’ Land
In 2025 Monsoon, a Nala constructed by NHAI engulfed the vast areas of farmers in Kabadi(Kawari) village of Nagrota Bagwan. Earlier, few months before monsoon the Nala was diverted by NHAI. And when heavy rain occur it overflowed to farm field and erode the Land. Later NAHI used local grantine stone to reinforced the Land. During this episode hundreds of Farmers protested again highways building, protest ended after SDM interference.
NAHI Land Selection
Land selection criteria of NHAI was also flawed, official of NHAI had no knowledge of Kuhls irrigation system and geological importance of Kangra Plains. In most of its course highways passes through vast alluvial outwash plains. If due diligence were exercised, the highways might be passed by from other place, most suitably near Shivalik zone. Our studies also suggest that from both ways, distance were to be same.
Kuhls and GIAHS
Recently Kuhls system is being proposed for FAO’ s GIAHS list. In this regard a book has been published by the author The Kangra Agricultural System a GIAHS Perspective on Heritage and Resilience.. It is high time we should come forward in protected this fragile system. Himalaya are facing critical climate change challenges and protecting such evolved indigenous irrigation system is in wider interest of society.
Written by- Padeep Kumar, Author of .The Kangra Agricultural System a GIAHS Perspective on Heritage and Resilience. email-jpardeep106@jpardeep106gmail-com
