Maharashtra Villagers Demand Water with 'Village For Sale' Banners
Residents of Tulshi village in Solapur district protest severe water shortages by putting up banners offering their village for sale in exchange for water.
7,000 villagers in Tulshi have staged protests due to chronic water shortages.
Local leaders claim a critical canal project has been stalled for 26 years, exacerbating the crisis.
Residents are now reliant on water tankers and have launched hunger strikes to demand action.
In a desperate bid to address ongoing water shortages, residents of Tulshi village in Maharashtra's Solapur district have put up 'Village For Sale' banners, stating they would accept water as payment. This unusual protest, involving around 7,000 villagers, aims to draw attention to the severe water crisis that has plagued the area for decades, despite government assurances and plans that have failed to materialize.
Tulshi's sarpanch, Sharad More, expressed the villagers' frustration, noting that despite the proximity of the Sina-Madha canal scheme, the village continues to face annual water shortages. He stated, "By putting up the board saying ‘Village for Sale, Price: Water', we are trying to draw the government's attention to our plight." The community's situation has worsened, leading to a hunger strike initiated on September 14, where residents demanded their water rights and protested outside the Madha tehsil office.
The villagers highlighted that a crucial 800-meter stretch of excavation work related to the Sina-Madha canal scheme has been incomplete for 26 years, which could potentially resolve their water issues. Despite the Krishna Valley Development Corporation approving water allocation for Tulshi and nearby villages, local leaders claim that no substantial progress has been made on the ground, leaving the community in dire straits.
The impact of the water crisis extends beyond agriculture; it has also affected social dynamics in the village. More pointed out that approximately 350 men in Tulshi remain unmarried due to the reluctance of families to send brides to a water-scarce area. The inadequate monsoon rainfall has forced the villagers to rely on water tankers, and while the Jal Jeevan Mission has installed tap connections, residents report that the primary water source has completely dried up.
Looking ahead, the residents of Tulshi are determined to escalate their protests if the government does not provide a concrete solution to their water crisis. They believe that replenishing the village's 14 depleted wells and ponds could offer immediate relief for both agricultural and domestic water needs. The situation remains critical as the villagers continue to seek urgent intervention from authorities.
