Adopt a River

1200 acre of paddy polders (low lying areas) at Vijayapuram, Manarcaud, and Ayarkunnam Gram Panchayat areas are part of Meenachil-Meenanthara watershed of Kottayam district. As a result of interventions under the Meenachil-Meenathara-Kodoor River Relinking Project, paddy cultivation was restarted in this area two years ago. But during the last week of February 2020, these polders were reeling under severe water shortage leading to drying up of rice plants. Each polder has a farmers’ collective and there are seven such collectives in the area. TIES and the Meenachil-Meenathara-Kodoor Relinking Peoples’ collective (MMKRP) convened a meeting with the farmers’ collectives to develop a solution for this emergency.

TIES water team surveyed the entire stretch of Velloorthodu, the main stream that provides water to every polder, and met leaders of the farmer collectives. The team took readings of water levels at different stretches of rivulet and analysed the situation. Based on this information, TIES suggested the following

1. Refitting the pumping facility (traditional system of Pettiyum Parayum) at Vadavathoor bund;
2. Clearing a 210-meter long rivulet and putting in 2-3 temporary bunds; and
3. Constructing a new check dam at Onattu Kadavu, near Thiruvanchoor.

With the help of Minor Irrigation and Agriculture departments, Govt. of Kerala, the refitting of Pettiyum Parayum (traditional water pumping mechanism), restoration of rivulets and construction of temporary check dam were completed within three days. The cleaning process was an intensive one requiring heavy machinery and it was a proud moment when the water reached the paddy fields that had severely impacted by the water shortage. Now the entire crop is safe and the farmers are expecting a good harvest. 

Besides the rivulets and stretches of the Meenanthara-Velloor rivers now having a good flow of water I them because of this intervention, ground water resources like wells and ponds have also been recharged by the fresh surge of water. This has solved the drinking water crisis in the entire area, benefitting about 1000 families and 4500 individuals. The farmers' collective has since taken on the responsibility to clean and maintain the rivulet ensuring sustainability of the initiative.