U’khand village ravaged by termites, orphaned by govt
ALMORA: Elections come and go. But termites do not in the remote village of Lambari in Almora district. Changes in governments and even formation of Uttarakhand have failed to end the termite menace in Lambari.
For about three decades, termites have damaged wooden doors, windows, ceilings and household commodities. Lambari receives moderate to heavy snowfall which further expose the termite-infested wooden ceilings to cave-ins. Fruit bearing trees and Chir Pine forests are also affected by this insect.
Located about 35km from Gairsain (the proposed state capital), Lambari is a reminder of the plight of the people in the ‘hill state’ of Uttarakhand.
Villagers say they are forced to carry out repair works every sixeight months. They have repeatedly written to authorities at all levels but a solution is still awaited. In 2015, farmer Maan Singh’s buffalo died when his cattle shed collapsed. About two years ago, Ratan Singh’s cattle shed also caved-in.
Tired of termites, about 10 families have left Lambari. Nearly 40 reside today, of which 37 are below the poverty line. Farming and cattle rearing are their source of income.
So, what ails Lambari? An RTI application filed by HT to the district magistrate’s office shows that in 1994, 1998 and 2009, work plans to control termites were formulated by district officials. However, the higher administration refused funds for the plans.
In 1994, a ₹ 2-lakh work plan was devised for the village to check the termite menace. Considering the poor economic condition of the villagers, the then district magistrate requested the Uttar Pradesh government to consider termite menace as ‘Daiveyh Aapada’ (natural disaster) and release funds under disaster relief. The request was rejected on the grounds that termite attack doesn’t fall under the official definition of natural disasters. The demand was repeated in 1997 and 2008, but rejected for the same reason.
In its letters, the agriculture department accepts that insecticides it provides to villagers have only been able to reduce termites in agricultural fields and have no effect on termites inside the buildings.
A three-member team from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) surveyed Lambari in 1998. Based on their recommendations, a work plan costing ₹3.6 lakh was devised. On September 13, 1999, the then DM requested the special secretary to UP chief minister for funds. The request was turned down. Another request made on January 20, 2000 met the same fate.