Water Body Preservation
Ilanthangudi Waterbody Restoration Project
Ilanthangudi village, located in the banks of Upparu river in Sivagangai district once had around 500 families, whose primary occupation was agriculture and livestock farming. Due to environmental changes, rainfall decreased. People lost hopes and migrated to urban areas pursuing jobs in other sectors like construction, domestic work etc. for their livelihood. The agricultural land turned into a forest of thorny acacia (வேலிக்கருவை) trees, just before the COVID-19 pandemic period. Nature decided to give another chance by pouring, thereby flooding the Upparu river and filling the village’s water tank. Some villagers returned to their hometown with a hope to resume farming. But due to severe environmental damage that occurred in the past, lot of effort was required for the restoration of the agricultural land for better yield. Irrigation channels in the fields were completely silted up, causing severe difficulties for farmers in watering their crops.
Founder of Marabukudil and the volunteers visited the village. Understanding the urgency of the need, Marabukudil immediately accepted the request, provided financial support and, with the field contribution of the Solai Vana Seemai Trust, began the work of fully restoring the village on May 8, 2023. Today, the village, which was once filled only with thorny acacia trees, has now become an oasis. We wish the people of Ilanthangudi to continue their efforts to keep the land environment friendly and educate the people for sustaining the natural resources.
ஏரினும் நன்றால் எருவிடுதல் கட்டபின்
நீரினும் நன்றதன் காப்பு. (குறள் 1038)
Highlights of the project
1) Cleaned the bed of irrigation channels across 290 acres
2) Provided Financial support of INR 4 Lakhs
3) Complete removal of thorny acacia trees
4) Restoring water tank embankments and ponds
5) Planting native tree saplings
6) Providing financial support for ongoing maintenance
