Madurai-based Dhan Foundation’s work proves that defunct water our bodies will be revived to learn the farmlands. Three-year effort: The Kadhiyanur irrigation tank has clear water nowThe Kadhiyanur irrigation tank in Iravadhanallur stands out for its clear water amid the dry or soiled ponds and water our bodies dotting Madurai metropolis. “Three years back, you would have only noticed the dirty water; now, it has been desilted and cleaned and provides water to over 50 acres of farmland. Local contributions and the work by the DHAN (Development of Humane Action) Foundation made this possible,” says M. Sedhuramu, a farmer in Iravadhanallur. The Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture Development Programme (VTADS) is the one which impressed them. “We approached the Dhan Foundation in 2016. They selected five farmers (three men and two women) and took us to Bengaluru to see a few water bodies which had been revived. Based on our first-hand experience, we devised a plan to desilt the Kadhiyanur tank,” says Sedhuramu.The Kadhiyanur tank was 9 acres vast, so that they first constructed a boundary wall round it. The water for the tank comes from the Chottaithatti canal however with the sewage flowing in en route, the tank was solely getting soiled water. The crew opted for the Kalvazhai (Canna Indica) plant to desilt the water in a pure, natural method.Project government S. Lokesh says, “The 2-km long stretch of the canal from the border of Iravadhanallur till the tank was widened to 14 feet to enable the water to flow freely. The water hyacinth clogging the flow was also removed.” With the tank desilted, groundwater high quality within the locality has additionally improved. The undertaking value was a giant challenge. “It cost us Rs 20 lakh, out of which Rs 18 lakh came from a few other corporates while Rs 2 lakh was raised by the locals,” says Sedhuramu proudly.“The Dhan Foundation has desilted more than 2,000 ponds and 104 water bodies so far,” says N. Venkatesan, VTADS undertaking chief. The VTADS is presently being carried out in all seven states in south India. Locals are concerned within the work referring to the elimination of encroachments and desilting which not solely cuts the price of the undertaking but additionally offers jobs.