Kanchanpur, April 21 -- Once fertile farmland along the Banhara river has turned into sandy riverbeds after years of erosion and flooding. These barren stretches have now found new life as farmers grow vegetables, creating a source of livelihood and income for freed Kamaiya families.

More than 200 freed Kamaiya families live in settlements provided by the government in the Bani area of Krishnapur Municipality. After floods and erosion turned their fertile land into sandbanks, many have taken to riverbed farming. Over 100 families grow seasonal vegetables, particularly spring crops.

Vegetables such as cucumber, bottle gourd, pumpkin and watermelon are cultivated on the riverbed.

Nanda Lal Rana of Krishnapur Municipality-2 is especially ...