Desilting of water bodies help recharge groundwater recharge in Delta

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu: Farmers in the nondescript village of Nadiyam in the tail-end area of the Cauvery Delta region had abandoned paddy not just due to non-availability of adequate water but also because of intrusion of seawater. But a ‘silent revolution’ led by youngsters have brought in significant changes for the farmers -- groundwater level has gone up considerably and invasion of the seawater has reduced drastically. 

Led by 35-year-old Nimal Raghavan, who quit his job in Dubai to help struggling farmers in the Delta, the youngsters with help of various organisations and individuals have desilted and restored over 70 lakes and tanks in the region since 2019, bringing smiles on the faces of thousands of farmers who were suffering due to lack of enough water for irrigation. 

The acute water shortage in the area had forced farmers to abandon paddy and go for coconut trees, a majority of which were uprooted during 2018 Cyclone Gaja that devastated the Delta region. Raghavan, who had come home on holiday from Dubai where he was working, chose to stay back after seeing his own brethren suffer. 

Four years later, the lakes and tanks brim with water for most part of the year after being desilted. “We made fun of these youngsters when they started cleaning the first lake. But after seeing the benefits, we know we are wrong,” K Senthil Nathan, a resident of Nadiyam, told DH.

“Recharge of groundwater is the biggest benefit we have got due to the efforts of the youngsters. Desilting of water bodies increased their storage capacities and cleared the supply lines of any hindrance. Strengthening of the bunds ensured that sea water doesn’t enter the water bodies,” he said. 

As a result, ground water is now available at just 50 feet as compared to about 200-250 feet just a few years ago. 

Raghavan said desilting has a direct correlation with groundwater recharge and reduction of salt water intrusion. “With the groundwater level at about 50 feet, many farmers have resumed cultivating paddy. We went to coconut only because of water issues. Our soil is most suited for paddy and we are happy to get back. We had water in the lake for most part of last year,” he told DH.

Raghavan said they are happy that they could make a difference to the villages. “Water conservation is what we have been advocating for the past few years to ensure Delta bounces back,” he added. 

Arumugam, another farmer, said the efforts have resulted in good water yield and water output. “Cauvery water is our lifeline and we couldn’t store water and use it due to a variety of factors. Now that the water bodies are deepened and cleaned, the storage capacity of the lakes and tanks have increased. We now have water in the water bodies for most part of the year,” he told DH. 

Raghavan’s first project was desilting and cleaning of the Peravurani lake whose area is spread over 560 acres. After having made a difference in the Delta, he and his team have now spread their tentacles in other regions – the organisation is now involved in cleaning lakes in Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, and Thoothukudi districts, and in states outside Tamil Nadu as well.