A natural pond, formed over a rock bed at Pulipatti on the foothills of Alagar Hills, has been a major drinking water source decades before 90-year-old Nevi, a farm worker, was born.
Today, after years of neglect, it is a glowing example of what self-help can do to a community. Last week, villagers joined together to remove silt from the pond, working from 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., for three days. While the surface water contaminated by waste was pumped into a nearby waterbody, which is utilised for washing and bathing, people removed silt to make the water clean and clear. As usual, they draw water from the pond for cooking and drinking.
“The pond water is pure and better than what we get from the handpump installed by the civic body,” says N. Chinnamma, who lent a hand in desilting the waterbody. Water supply by the panchayat is erratic and people have to wake up as early as 3 a.m. to get water on many days, says R. Ponnammal.
People who know the history of the pond realise that it is their duty to protect it, instead of waiting for help from government. Nevi, who lives close by, recalls how her ancestors, driven by famine, migrated to this region from Kalayarkoil in the present Sivaganga district. “They were actually searching for water when a fully drenched palm civet (mara naai) appeared in front of them. They were led to a place where my forefathers saw a tiger in a pond. As the tiger ran into the forest, they named the rock bed on which they found the animal as Puliparai and the village Pulipatti.” Since then Puliparai has not gone dry and people have been drawing water from it for drinking.
The Puliparai initiative, though isolated, has a message for residents of Madurai city.
