Coimbatore, Dec. 18
Uncontrolled sand mining on the Senguthu Pallam stream in Madukkarai here has dried up the stream over the last few years.
The stream that was once filled with water is covered on all sides by plastic sacks filled with sand taken from it and bullock carts that carry the sand packets.
According to sources, the stream, also known as Manjupallam, emanates from the Ghat region and reaches Kurumapalayam after crossing the Palakkad Main Road on the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation boundary.
It was perennial around five years ago, but has completely dried up over time. However, one can still find water during rains in the stream and it has helped much in ground water recharge over the years.
More than 100 farmlands lie on both sides of the stream and crop including corn, coconut, maize and banana are cultivated there.
The stream was prone to sand mining for many years and despite constant complaints from the farmers of the village, no concrete action has been taken by the administration to curb it, lament farmers.
“One can find sand being taken using small trucks some years back. After we started complaining, they are doing it secretly near the Moonu Kan Bridge using bullock carts at night. Small bags of sands are also continually taken,” said a farmer.
Because of sand mining, farmers who were farming using the water from wells and the stream, have started using more than two bore wells per farm as ground water has dried up.
Farmers also regret that since the river bed does not have the ability to store water anymore with the sand gone, flash floods have become common in recent times resulting in damaging of check dams and wastage of water.
“Recently, a check dam near Kurumbapalayam that was built to store water in the stream was fully damaged by flash floods. Another check dam a few meters away was also slightly damaged,” said another farmer.
The farmers also alleged that even after repeated complaints the district administration has not looked into the issue.
Uncontrolled sand mining on the Senguthu Pallam stream in Madukkarai here has dried up the stream over the last few years.
The stream that was once filled with water is covered on all sides by plastic sacks filled with sand taken from it and bullock carts that carry the sand packets.
According to sources, the stream, also known as Manjupallam, emanates from the Ghat region and reaches Kurumapalayam after crossing the Palakkad Main Road on the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation boundary.
It was perennial around five years ago, but has completely dried up over time. However, one can still find water during rains in the stream and it has helped much in ground water recharge over the years.
More than 100 farmlands lie on both sides of the stream and crop including corn, coconut, maize and banana are cultivated there.
The stream was prone to sand mining for many years and despite constant complaints from the farmers of the village, no concrete action has been taken by the administration to curb it, lament farmers.
“One can find sand being taken using small trucks some years back. After we started complaining, they are doing it secretly near the Moonu Kan Bridge using bullock carts at night. Small bags of sands are also continually taken,” said a farmer.
Because of sand mining, farmers who were farming using the water from wells and the stream, have started using more than two bore wells per farm as ground water has dried up.
Farmers also regret that since the river bed does not have the ability to store water anymore with the sand gone, flash floods have become common in recent times resulting in damaging of check dams and wastage of water.
“Recently, a check dam near Kurumbapalayam that was built to store water in the stream was fully damaged by flash floods. Another check dam a few meters away was also slightly damaged,” said another farmer.
The farmers also alleged that even after repeated complaints the district administration has not looked into the issue.