Page 26 - Sugam Sarita

Source: www.theconversation.com

How closely the people’s lives are centered around this river is
demonstrated by a recent dispute over the sharing of Cauvery water
between the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, where the
river originates. Due to the ongoing depletion of river water brought
on by climate change, water conservation has taken precedence

over all other agricultural objectives. The dams that once aided in
conservation no longer get enough water, and even during the month
of Aadi, the Mettur Dam does not fill to capacity.

Very often referred to as tank management, is one of Tamil Nadu’s

oldest water management techniques. There are two varieties: system
eri, which aids in the storage of both river and rainwater, and non-
system eri, which exclusively stores rainwater. This technique aids

with flood control, rainwater storage for paddy farming, ground
water recharging, and the reduction of soil erosion.

12