The east-flowing river Pampar, which irrigates the sugarcane and vegetable fields in the rain shadow village of Marayur in addition to four districts of Tamil Nadu, has almost dried up.
Farmers say that climate change resulted in severe shortage of water earlier than last year when it was experienced in May-June. Only the northeast monsoon makes an impact in the rain shadow area of Anjunadu comprising Marayur, Kanthallur, Keezhanthur, Karayur, and Kottagudi (in Tamil Nadu).
No drizzle this year
Subramaniam, a farmer at Kovilkadavu, said there used to be drizzle from October to February in Marayur. However, for the past few years, the pattern has been seen changing, to make the drought season very severe this time. He said that it rained in the area two days ago, though it made little impact on the Pampar. One of the reasons for the drying up of the river was unauthorised diversion of water to tea plantations from the Pampar and the Kanniyar. The Pampar originates from the Eravikulam National Park and is the main water sources in Marayur and adjoining areas that once cultivated paddy.
Mr. Subramaniam said that farmers shifted to sugar cane later, and now areca nut and other crops were being cultivated in large areas that needed lesser water. Kovilkadavu, on the banks of the Pampar, was witnessing severe drinking water shortage, he said.
Other factors that caused water shortage were large-scale cultivation of eucalyptus that reduced the groundwater level and the demolition of the Pattissery check-dam to construct a new one.
“More farmers had opted for eucalyptus cultivation and groundwater level near the plantations fell,” said Santhosh Kumar, another farmer. Farmers say there was a government scheme for removing the eucalyptus trees and bringing more areas under vegetable cultivation nearly four years ago. At present, there is a ban on cutting all trees, including the eucalyptus.
Dam demolished
The Pattissery dam was demolished four years ago with a promise to construct a bigger check-dam there for irrigating more areas. However, a new check-dam is yet to be built.
The dam, constructed in 1937, was a major source of water for irrigation and it was demolished in 2014.
The check-dam stored water from the Mannavanchola and was used for irrigation during summer. After demolition of the dam, large areas were kept fallow because of water shortage.
According to A.S. Sreenivasan, a leader of Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU), the severe shortage was owing to considerable fall in the northeast monsoon. He said there was also an increase of water consumption after more tourist resorts came up in the area, this caused shortage of drinking water too, he added.
