In what could well be the first such effort in south India, Rayadurgam TDP legislator Kalava Srinivasulu, with the help of Ramon Magsasay awardee Rajendra Singh, is trying to revive the now dead river of Vedavathi, popularly known as Hagari in Anantapur district.
Many villages of the Rayadurgam constituency, especially those in the Kanekal mandal have been severely affected by the desertification process which can be witnessed in the landscape surrounding the Durga Honnur and other villages where shifting sand dunes have been a reality of life since the last two decades.
Mr. Srinivasulu, also Government Chief whip, told The Hindu that it was his and the Government’s intention to rid the district of the haunting droughts and the idea to take up rejuvenation of rivers was a step towards ensuring adequate ground water and surface water, which could mean better prospects for agriculture and slowing the desertification process with immediate effect.
Explaining the idea behind the project of the river, which originates in Karnataka and enters the Anantapur district through the Bhairavanitippa project in the district, Mr. Rajendra Singh said construction of sub-surface dams which would ensure availability of ground water and filling up of the acquifers which in turn would help the river flow rather than just feed the acquifers.
A sub-surface dam is similar to that of a dam over the ground, except that it is constructed under the ground level and intended to pool water into the geological water channels. While the sub-surface completely negates the chances of evaporation thereby ensuring complete usage of water, the capacity to store water is limited by the presence of the pores in the geological strata.
“While a similar situation [desert conditions] to Rajasthan exists in the district, the district enjoys three times higher rainfall which would make it feasible to revive the river in a five-year period with a plan and concerted and coordinated effort,” Mr Rajendra Singh told The Hindu .
