Aloo Chak Farm is losing its identity

Published on:

22 Jun 2015, 12:00 am

The Aloo Chak farm in Dhanauti might be famous for its potato production in the mountain state but today many acres of land is lying barren here due to which it is losing its identity. The slopes here could be utilised for tourism as well on the lines of Auli’s ski slopes in Chamoli district. The horticulture department has a vast farm in heart of Dhanaulti. Before the year 2000,the potato production was good in the farm, especially the farm used for production of potato for seed. The potato from here was in good demand in Tehri district and in the plains as well. It was considered better than other potatoes especially for seeds.

In 2006, the fertile land of the farm was given on lease to a private company for a meager amount. After this the agricultural activities began declining instead of rising. The negligence of the firm was evident considering that even the fruit trees growing here have died out. The situation today is such that the farm which earned lakhs of rupees annually is now providing only a meager lease rent.

On the other hand, the locals continue to suffer in absence of proper medical treatment facilities in the area not facilitated due to non-availability of space.

The Pradhan Sunita Devi, Vinita Devi, Kuldeep Negi and others said that apart from horticultural activities, the area should be promoted as a tourism site by laying artificial snow on the slopes during the winter. This would provide employment to local youth. The villagers are also demanding that the district magistrate facilitate establishment of a hospital on a portion of the Aloo Chak farm land.