Rising drowning deaths in Gaya: 52 cases reported in Aug amid environmental concerns

Gaya: No fewer than 52 drowning deaths were reported in the district in Aug this year. A sizeable number of the victims were children, both boys and girls.Activist Brajnandan Pathak said multiple factors were to blame.

“Neglect of water bodies, illegal sand mining and the decline of swimming skills, particularly in rural areas, are responsible for the high number of drowning deaths,” he said.Deputy development commissioner Navin Kumar did not respond to questions about the management of water bodies in the district. Reports of indiscriminate sand mining in the Falgu and other rivers are common. Environmentalists have repeatedly objected to mechanised sand mining near residential areas.

Earlier, representations had been made to ban such activity in the Falgu between Bodh Gaya and Bitho village.The maximum casualties were reported from Mohanpur. Mohanpur circle officer Ranjit Kumar said, “Water bodies in Mohanpur block are being properly maintained and managed and no drowning incident can be attributed to deficiencies in this regard.” He also denied reports of illegal earth quarrying.Motibhai, general secretary of the District Olympic Association, which promotes swimming, said excessive rainfall in Aug had worsened the problem.

“Above normal rainfall resulted in excessive accumulation of water in ponds and lakes,” he added.He also admitted that swimming skills have declined. “Earlier, swimming was almost mandatory for boys and girls in rural areas. Encroachment and disappearance of water bodies have narrowed that option now,” he said.Johny, a social activist from the western part of the city, said, “Existing water bodies have become more skewed on account of illegal earth quarrying.

For most of the year, they remain dry and children cannot learn swimming. During the rainy season, water levels rise abnormally, making it dangerous for children to learn. School pressure also leaves them little time.”Former Gaya Municipal Corporation member Lalji Prasad said, “More than a decade ago, when rainfall was deficient, there was much talk of rainwater harvesting and management. Had those schemes been effectively implemented, today’s problem of water accumulation could have been addressed.”