Century-Old Bara Irrigation System in Disrepair Amid Prolonged Neglect

The irrigation system in Upper Bara, Khyber, constructed nearly a century ago, has fallen into significant disrepair due to years of neglect. The system, which was built in the 1930s by local farmers from various villages on a self-help basis, has suffered from a lack of maintenance, particularly during the 2012-2022 period when local communities were absent from the region due to militancy and military operations.

The network of irrigation canals originally included a 6.5-kilometre canal from Speen Drand to Shiekhmali Bara, a 5-kilometre stretch in Kandaw Jumat and Abdulkhel Kalay, a 4.5-kilometre canal in Dray Wandy village, a 2.5-kilometre section in Tharkho Kas, and a 2-kilometre canal from Speen Drand to Shiekhmali Baba. The Bara River served as the main water source for this extensive system.

Villagers stated that these canals once irrigated thousands of kanals of fertile farmland. The main channel originated from the Qambar Khel area and was divided into auxiliary canals to distribute water across different parts of Upper Bara. Initially, the construction relied on long logs sourced from nearby forests, which were sliced and curved to create water channels, according to local residents.

The absence of local communities for a decade, due to security concerns and military operations, led to the deterioration of the irrigation infrastructure. The lack of regular upkeep has left the canals in a decayed state, impacting agricultural productivity in the region.

Community members have expressed concern over the current condition of the irrigation system and highlighted the urgent need for repairs to restore water supply for their farmlands. The system, once a vital resource for local agriculture, now awaits attention and rehabilitation efforts.