Farmers led by Coimbatore District Uzhavar Nala Sangam president C. Duraisamy petitioned the Collector at the farmers grievances meet on Friday seeking action against a few persons who allegedly diverted a tributary of River Noyyal from its natural course.
Mr. Duraisamy said that Kousika Nadhi originating from Guruarul Malai in the forest areas of Periyanaickenpalayam Range ran through over 50 villages before it reached River Noyyal.
“When the stream was flowing we got groundwater at a depth of 100 feet. But after it was diverted in 1994 it depleted to 1,000 feet in some places,” he said, and added that the vast area of agricultural land was now turning into real estate sites, due to shortage of water. He claimed that representations they made to the Collectors in the past were in vain.
On Friday, the villagers hung pictures of the diversion of the stream on their necks and came to the grievances meet venue hoping to get a solution for their 21-year-long struggle.
