A Village Where Agriculture Flows Through Every Home
Nestled near the forest in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur District, Gummudipoondi Block, lies a small farming village of 350 families. Life here revolves around land — cassava, paddy, vegetables, greens, and fruits grow in abundance when water flows right.
But for years, a critical canal — 780 feet long and 8 feet wide — had been choked by overgrowth, disrupting irrigation to nearly 500 acres of farmland.
Without flowing water, crops withered. Daily-wage opportunities disappeared. Resilience had to come from within.
Community Mobilization: From Problem to People-Led Action
On September 22, 2023, 77 villagers decided to act. Starting early at 8 AM, they laboured together till 1 PM — clearing the canal of invasive plants and debris, restoring the flow of life-giving water.
“When water flows, life flows. This was not charity, this was a necessity — and we made it happen,” said one farmer.
The mobilization wasn’t driven by external aid but by village-wide conversations. Field visits, mutual coordination, and shared urgency led to this collective effort.
Villagers Working Together to Clean Canal
Why This Canal Matters — A Rural Climate Solution
The canal is a lifeline for small and marginal farmers, many of whom cultivate leased plots. When water is blocked, entire cropping cycles collapse, leading to cascading economic stress.
- Farmers’ crops were burning out.
- Daily-wage workers lost jobs.
- Women working in factories were stretching household income to cover losses.
This canal restoration brought more than water — it brought back agency, access to livelihood, and renewed hope.
Water Flow Restored After Canal Cleaning
Restoring Dignity Through Local Action
When people restore what sustains them, it’s not just about the land — it’s about dignity.
- Each participant contributed time and effort, earning the chance for agricultural work to resume.
- With restored flow, farmers can now irrigate timely, improving yields.
- Agricultural wage work can resume — at ₹500/day, helping fund education and household requirements.
This is not a story of scarcity. It’s a story of reclamation — of water, work, and willpower.
Beyond a Canal — A Model for People-Led Environmental Stewardship
This canal cleaning is a field note of possibility — showing how collective, hyperlocal action can tackle climate-linked disruptions like water scarcity and crop failure.
It’s a reminder that real solutions don’t always require large funding. Sometimes, they just need people to show up together.
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..
