When Water Stops, So Does Livelihood
In Pannapattu (Mela Theru) village of Tamil Nadu, agriculture is not just an occupation — it’s the very heartbeat of life. But over recent years, farmers have faced back-to-back crop losses. The reason? Two critical irrigation canals choked by thorny weeds and wild shrubs, preventing water from reaching their fields.
Crops dried up. Paddy yields declined. Households lost income. And hope slowly faded from the fields.
A People-Led Solution Under Goonj’s Cloth for Work Initiative
When Goonj facilitators engaged the community, villagers didn’t wait for external aid. Instead, 70 residents mobilised to clean the canal themselves through Goonj’s Cloth for Work (CFW) initiative.
Two stretches of the canal were cleaned:
- 620 feet in length × 4 feet wide
- 530 feet in length × 6 feet wide
This was not about aid. It was about reclaiming water, work, and dignity — together.
Community Cleaning Canal Under Cloth for Work
Water Returns — So Do Crops, Income, and Dignity
Once the canals were cleared, water began flowing freely into the fields. The results were immediate and tangible:
- 50 acres of paddy fields irrigated
- Average yield: 50–60 quintals per field
- Selling price: ₹2,200 per quintal
- Average earnings: ₹1–3 lakhs per season
Beyond the numbers, the clean canals also assist in preventing flash floods and allow families to irrigate their kitchen gardens year-round — a crucial facility system during unpredictable weather.
Spreading the Impact Across Villages
The ripple effect of this effort reached far beyond a single village:
- Over 100 households from four surrounding hamlets — Sirukalur, Esanai, and Mugiayur — benefited from the restored water access.
- Local farmers are now planning to diversify into winter crops, thanks to reliable irrigation.
In restoring a canal, the villagers restored the rhythm of life across communities — not through dependency, but through collective strength.
Lessons from Pannapattu: Grassroots Resilience in the Face of Climate Stress
This isn’t just a story of cleaning a canal. It’s a blueprint for decentralised climate action and community resilience. When people lead their own change, the outcomes go beyond infrastructure — they touch livelihoods, health, education, and dignity.
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
