Between bananas & birds, Bihpur prepares for an intense poll battle

Bhagalpur: A place of significant activity during Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement in 1917 and a witness to farmer agitations between 1930 and 1942, Bihpur is located along the banks of the Ganga.

Its railway station, Thana-Bihpur, lies on the Khagaria-Katihar rail route.Known as the ‘banana bowl’ for cultivating one of the most fragrant varieties of banana, as well as litchi and mango, Bihpur is an environmental haven for nature lovers. The area boasts lush green vegetation and extensive banana orchards in Milki, Jhandapur, Vikrampur, Sonbarsha, Bikrampur, Marwa, Jairampur, Kaharpur, Hario, Phulaut, Sahori, Gauripur, Chakrami, Bhramarpur, Nagarpara and surrounding villages.

The constituency is also renowned for litchi production from the Babhangama orchards, alongside mango cultivation.Recently, Bihpur has come into the limelight for the Ghatora Wetland, known as a haven for Siberian migratory birds and often referred to as the ‘Mini Chilka Lake’, akin to the famous Chilika Lake in Odisha. The wetland attracts nature conservationists, birders and bird specialists with the recent sightings of three new species – hen harrier, lesser black-backed gull and ruddy-breasted crake.

The constituency is also known for the Daata Mangan Sah Mazaar, situated in Milki village, nearly 2km from Thana-Bihpur railway station. People of all faiths visit the mazaar during Shab-E-Barat and other festivals to seek blessings. The local belief is that anyone who pays obeisance is blessed by the faqir Mangan Sah and their wishes are fulfilled.Despite these positives, banana cultivators and horticultural farmers in Bihpur, as well as neighbouring Gopalpur, are struggling.

Their produce fails to fetch fair prices, often selling at nearly half the market value, forcing many into debt. “Banana farming, which was once a cash crop yielding handsome income, is now a trap set by money-lenders,” said Gopal Rai of Jhandapur village. The situation is worsened by low yields due to natural vagaries and financial pressures.“When there is a bumper harvest, preserving banana yields becomes a problem due to their short shelf life,” said Avinash Chandra Jha, a management consultant from Nagarpara village in Bihpur block.

“This is one of the major fruit-growing zones in the district, with an annual yield of more than 3-4 lakh MT of ‘Hari Chaal’ and ‘Robusta’ banana varieties.” He suggested that establishing food-processing units in Naugachia could protect farmers’ interests, enabling production of pulp, baby food, banana fibre, packing materials, ready-to-eat banana flower vegetables, trunk vegetables, pickles and other processed products.“Beyond fruit products, banana trunks and leaves can be marketed as diversified textile fibres,” Jha added, highlighting the potential of banana fibre extraction and yarning units in the Naugachia region. “Processed banana is gaining popularity in South India, and new markets are emerging in the Gulf and Middle East. If the region is to be developed and farmers’ socio-economic conditions improved, the people’s representatives should commit to establishing food-processing units in Bihpur and Naugachia,” he said.Deepak Kumar Jhunnu, coordinator of the Asian Water-bird Count (AWC), Bihar chapter, and bird specialist, said the Ghatora Wetland, stretching 6-7km and covering approximately 1,120 acres between Gouripur and Narayanpur in Bihpur block, has become a preferred wintering ground for Siberian migratory and resident birds over the past few years.“Birders have documented several Siberian cranes and geese, alongside migratory waterfowl and resident species.

Recently, 45 major migratory bird species were recorded, including Red Naped Ibis, Plain Prinia, Brahminy Starling, White Throated Kingfisher, Little Egret, Redwattled Lapwing, Red Crested Pochard, Black Tailed Godwit, Greylag Goose, Gadwell, Garganey, Siberian Stonechat and Spotted Redshank,” Jhunnu said.

He added that pre-count surveys in Nov-Dec 2024 recorded approximately 2,300 migratory birds.However, caste considerations continue to dominate electoral priorities, raising questions about whether voters will prioritise development agendas over narrow caste sentiments.

Historically, the Bihpur assembly constituency has been represented by Congress four times, CPI three times, RJD twice, Bhartiya Jana Sangh once, Janata Party/Dal twice and BJP twice since 1952.Currently, it appears to be a straight contest between two-time MLA and sitting MLA Shailendra Kumar (BJP) representing NDA, and Arpana Kumari (VIP) for the Mahagathbandhan (GA), while others are testing their popularity.

“Prestige of both NDA and GA is at stake in this riverine belt of Bhagalpur district,” said Bipin Kumar Gupta, adding that people are tightlipped at this stage.Interestingly, former RJD MP and 2020 RJD candidate cum runner-up Shailesh Kumar, also known as Bulo Mandal, is contesting the neighbouring Gopalpur assembly constituency on a JD(U) ticket after resigning from RJD and joining Nitish’s party in April 2024.