After the Dong rejuvenated in the Assam district of Udalguri. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Dong, the old water distribution system in the indigenous community of Bodo living along the border with Bhutan, was revived in the district of Udalguri in the northern central Assam.
Bhawani Dong in the village of Uttor Garuajhar and Orang Dong in Sonajuli No. 2, both in the Bhergaon block in the district, were recently rejuvenated in the program to restore traditional water management systems and strengthen rural resistance.
Dong is a community water channel. It takes water from rivers through clay channels to irrigate agricultural land and fill ponds for household and agriculture. In particular, the Dong system is followed near the India-Bhutan border, where the lack of water during the dry period to March-is repetitive challenge.
However, these systems have been made inoperable over the years due to neglect, sedimentation and changes related to climate.
Aaranyak, the organization for the protection of biodiversity, dealt with communities to help rejuvenate dongs.
Bhawani Dong is provided by No. 1 Garuajhar, Orangajuli and Uttor Garuajhar. They serve about 1,500 households and a population exceeding 10,000.
The channel water flow has been drastically decreased over the years, so agricultural land was arid and downstream, such as Kacari Basti, Gaonburha Basti and Jhara Basti with small or no access to water. The situation contributed to reducing agricultural production and growing problems.
After its restoration, Bhawani Dong now provides consistent flow of water, enables early irrigation, reactivates abandoned agricultural land and improves water availability even in previously neglected downstream areas.
Orang Dong in the village of Sonajuli No. 2, with approximately 120 households and populations over 650, is the primary source of irrigation of nearly 500 big body of agricultural land. Its revival helped the villagers restore culture activities, ensured a reduced risk of crop failure.
“The involvement of the community at each stage, from the identification of the needs of repair, to the contribution of work to clear the blocking and maintaining flow roads, made the efforts to restore both dongs,” said Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, Deputy Executive Director Aaranyak.
Published – June 17, 2025 22:31 is
