Arunachala's Borguli villagers battle Siang erosion with voluntary flood control drive

In the face of delayed government funding, villagers of Borguli under Mebo Sub-Division in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district have stepped up their voluntary flood control efforts to protect their Wetland Rice Cultivation (WRC) fields from the ever-encroaching Siang River.

With the monsoon season approaching, these efforts—ongoing for over two months now—are aimed at diverting the river’s current and minimizing the impact of soil erosion. The community-driven initiative, supported by the recently formed Siang Flood Warriors (SFW), exemplifies grassroots resilience in the absence of timely state intervention.

The voluntary work began with contributions from the WRC field owners and other villagers and has received moral and logistical support from local MLA Oken Tayeng and the Water Resources Department (WRD). The movement gained momentum following the formation of the Siang Flood Warriors during a memorial program at Government Middle School, Borguli on April 19, 2025.

Led by social worker Gekong Pertin, the Siang Flood Warriors have taken a leading role in organizing and executing the flood mitigation efforts. With soil erosion by the mighty Siang River already claiming hundreds of hectares of land on its left bank, the urgency of the work cannot be overstated.

To further bolster these efforts, WRD Pasighat Division’s Executive Engineer Onit Panyang, accompanied by Assistant Engineer Mebo Alat Megu and others, visited the flood control sites today. The team encouraged the volunteers and assured them of continued departmental support. As a gesture of personal solidarity, EE Panyang handed over ₹50,000 to SFW head Gekong Pertin to assist in the ongoing community work.

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Speaking during the visit, Pertin underscored the dire situation faced by the WRC field owners. He noted that in the absence of sanctioned flood control schemes this year, the only option left for the villagers was to act on their own. He further mentioned that many like-minded individuals have been contributing financially and by providing vehicles such as dumper trucks and JCBs, often ferrying boulders from distant locations like Silluk and Sigar villages.

While the WRD, in coordination with MLA Tayeng, has already submitted several proposals to tackle erosion in the area, the delay in funding approval has left the community vulnerable. However, the resolve of the people, supported by SFW, stands as a strong counter to the creeping threat of the Siang River.

This community initiative not only highlights the pressing need for faster governmental response in climate-vulnerable zones but also showcases the indomitable spirit of the people of Borguli in safeguarding their livelihoods and land.