Check dam dedicated to panchayat

Tirunelveli(TN), Mar 28: A check-dam, sponsored by Coca-Cola India under its programme to improve the availability of water and conserving it, has been dedicated to the people of a panchayat union in Tirunelveli district.

Srinivasan Services Trust, associated with the TVS and Coca-Cola India foundation, dedicated the check dam, a release said today.

The release said this was the 150th check dam sponsored by Coca-Cola India under its programme to improve the availability of water and conserving it.

The watershed management project covered around 1500 hectares and comprised three villages benefiting over 5000 people of Cheranmahadevi Panchayat union.

The programme aimed at improving water use efficiency and groundwater recharge and strengthening ecosystem services. Under the programme, barren land was converted into cultivable land through such measures as promoting field and contour bunds.

It also helped increase the income level of the local residents and farmers, Yogesh Chandra, CEO of Coca-Cola India Foundation said in the release. Ashoke Joshi, Chairman, Srinivasan Services Trust, said they planned to expand the project to cover and benefit more such villages.

Karisalpatti, Ulagankulam, Deivanayaperi, Pulavankudiyiruppu, Thiruviruthanpuli in West Uppoorani are the villages benefited through this project now, according to the release. After implementation of the project, farmers incomes' increased between Rs 4500 and 6000 through dry land farming. Milk yield increased from 5 litres to 6.5 litres per day while water table level of 107 wells and 89 bore wells, been increased from 2.5 to 5 metres, it claimed.

PTI