Sangola taluka in Solapur's backyard is fast emptying. In the last fortnight, an estimated 400 families, given to sheep rearing, have locked their homes and trotted out in search of water and food. Weary men, women, children and cattle are all headed south to Sangli and Kolhapur where they hope to survive the early advance of summer.
The search for water in Sangola is old but, as zilla parishad member Gajendra Kodekar says, it was never this bad. "This is the first time that so many families are moving in search of water and fodder. And all because these villages did not receive adequate rainfall. Sangola was not as lucky as villages elsewhere. There are drought-like conditions in as many as 102 villages".
Sangola's problem is peculiar. Villages like Balloddi, Nazra, Wazra, Andhal, Chimke, Vatambar, Vasood, Akola and Kadlas are located in the Maan river basin but the water there is no good. It is not fit for consumption. Always dependent on tanker-water, they now believe it is time to move before summer really sets in.
It was the same with the 400 'dhangar' families - sheep-rearing is what they do for a living - who emptied out of Kola, Kidimishri, Junooni, Tippehari. They left reluctantly, only after they realised there was no 'khurte gawat' (grass) left for the cattle. Walking 60 km south to Sangli is a better option than simply watching the cattle die.
Villagers say it is this shortage of fodder, especially in the talukas of Malshiras and Sangola, that is compelling most people to give migration a serious thought. ``The district administration should not only ensure regular tanker-water supply but also organise cattle camps. Otherwise, our livestock will simply perish. We will have nothing left," they all say.
Others like Yellapa Metkar and Hanmantu Koli have already hit the road to greener pastures. "We have no option except stay put in Sangli and Kolhapur till the monsoons arrive. My land is very dear to me but if my sheep die, what will I do? How do I feed my children?" frets Hanmantu.
Earlier, when drought conditions prevailed (as in 1972), villagers used to migrate to the cities in search of employment. But now the employment guarantee scheme (EGS) of the government too has changed. Rural folk can be employed only in their talukas. So they really have very few options.
A worried Solapur district administration is now grappling with the critical livestock position in the villages. Four fodder stock centres are being opened and help of NGOs and sugar factories is being sought to organise open cattle camps. Akkalkot, south Solapur, Pandharpur, Mangalwedha and Mohol are still being supplied drinking water in tankers. Officials say the worst months are still to come and contingency plans are being drawn accordingly.
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