Madurai
The award comes in recognition for adopting effective water conservation strategies unitedly, sources said.Thoothukudi Collector Sandeep Nanduri, when contacted about the laurel, credited active community participation of the village panchayat, where a farm pond was created in 3.35 acres of land donated by a couple of farmers last year that led to achieve the feat. Apart from this development, a supply channel was dug to channelise water to the pond. Such essential and voluntary contributions helped pave the way to get a total of 110 hectares under irrigation additionally.
Sasthavinallur is one of the backward areas and most of the local community relies on banana farming, coconut and pulses.
The creation of the pond would also enhance groundwater recharge.
The Thoothukudi District Administration during last year launched a scheme entitled ‘Oorukku Nooru Kai,’ through ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ under which a total of 50 likeminded volunteers got themselves involved in developing the village.
While the scheme was common for the entire district, villagers from Sasthavinallur approached the authorities and expressed their interest in contributing to the society’s benefit.
Further, the Collector said from our side technical support was given to the village panchayat, where people had been stressed on the significance of desilting and rainwater harvesting method as well.
More importantly, there’s a good storage of water in the pond following rains during last year that benefited the local community, Collector Sandeep Nanduri added.
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