MADURAI : At a time when states are fighting over their share of water from major rivers and much is said about the importance of safe drinking water, two irrigations tanks in Samanatham and Arasapuram villages in Thiruparankundram block has been polluted by local dyeing units for over a decade.
The two tanks, Samantham and Melakkammai, each spread over about 120 acres have been filled with dye waste and sewage. More than 200 acres of agricultural lands depend on these tanks for irrigation.
According to Kulanthai Pitchai, former panchayat president of Arasapuram village, 20 years ago there used to be over 700 acres of agriculture land in the two villages, which were dependent of the two tanks -Samantham and Melakkammai - for irrigation.
But now, the tanks, each spread over 120 acres, are filled with dye waste and sewage. The agricultural lands have shrunk to just 200 acres and the farmers are using the polluted water for irrigation, which also affects the yield.
The deying units have also had a drastic affect on the condition of groundwater in the villages. Sarasu, who lives near one of the tanks said, “The irrigation tank has been filled with dye for the past decade. Water inside the wells located near the tanks has the colour of the dye. My family used to use the water for both drinking and agriculture purposes, but now we can not use it for anything. The water in all the wells near the tanks are either blue or green.”
Duraipandi, a 70 year old farmer says, “Most of the farmers have stopped using the water for irrigating the crops as it affects the yield. Most of the water resource in both the villages are polluted now.” The polluted water has also taken a toll on cattle and pets. Ayyammal, a wood cutter said, “We used to let out cattle and pets drink from the tanks. We stopped after many of them died after drinking the polluted water. Now we don’t even let them graze anywhere near the tanks.” Officials from the dying unit management were not available for comments. When Express contacted him, Collector K Veera Raghava Rao said the administration will assign a team to inspect the tanks and take immediate action.”