At a time when the long dry spell has damaged acres of paddy and other crops in many parts of the State, Meenangadi grama panchayat in Wayanad has set a model in water recharging and rejuvenation of water and soil resources using solar power.
The tribal farmers of Manivayal hamlet under the panchayat had been cultivating paddy on eight acres on the banks of the Manivayal rivulet during the monsoon and other short-term crops in the summer by using water from the rivulet for the past many decades. However, they were forced to keep the land fallow from last year owing to shortage of water for irrigation, especially for the summer crops, said Sivaraman, a member of the Manivayal tribal collective.
“We sought the intervention of the Meenangadi grama panchayat authorities in the matter. Since cultivation was the major source of income for the tribespeople, the panchayat board decided to address the issue with Thanal, an NGO,” said panchayat president K.E. Vinayan.
