Although the south-west monsoon brought some widespread and moderate spells of rain to Tiruchi and Karur districts, it has failed to help revive hundreds of coconut and palm trees, that have started to wither following the prolonged drought in 2016-17.
The 80 km stretch from Tiruchi to Karur along the banks of Cauvery river is known for numerous coconut groves.
The trees were relatively healthy up to March-April as the water table was reasonably good. But, they could not sustain beyond a point as the groundwater table started depleting rapidly. The impact was felt in several areas including Pettavaithalai, Mutharasanallur, Kulithalai, Lalapettai and Mayanur.
“Farmers have suffered a huge loss. The trees, which are supposed to yield for several years, have withered. The government should come forward to carry out a survey to figure out the extent of tree loss so as to compensate the farmers suitably,” says Koundampatti R. Subramanian, deputy secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association.
A senior official of Agricultural department in Karur district told The Hindu that according to a provisional survey about 33,000 trees have withered. The trees could have been saved if the district received at least two spells of summer rain.
