Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Doing your bit for water

Subha J Rao

Siruthuli is launching "Noyyallukku Nooru" on July 14

Coimbatore: Siruthuli, a movement to give Coimbatore's water bodies a new lease of life, is now launching "Noyyallukku Nooru", a fund-raiser to revive the dying river. It will be inaugurated on July 14 and will run for 100 days.

Under it citizens can donate Rs. 100 each towards the restoration of a river that once gushed down the plains. "Now, encroachments and cart tracts choke its numerous canals, forcing the water to flood fields and enter numerous crevices from where it goes waste," rues Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee, Siruthuli. "This money alone is not enough to restore a dying river, but it will give people a feeling of ownership; that they are protecting what belongs to them," she says.

Mismanagement

Siruthuli says the experience of the past fortnight, when water from a swollen Noyyal rushed into the numerous tanks, is proof that things can be set right. "Mismanagement has brought about this situation; the river has been abused. We hope the Government will do something about cleaning the canal," says Ms. Mohan.

She recalls how after the hugely popular Noyyal Yatra on October 2, 2005, the Government worked to remove the agricultural encroachers along the Noyyal. As part of its programme, Siruthuli has formed numerous groups to interact with the target audience.

If one is meeting with parents of school children to talk about the need for restoration, another will interact with college students and a third with professional bodies through the Chamber of Commerce. "The goal is to reach every member of society and convince them that this is their life subscription for water for future generations," says the Managing Trustee.

Part-time volunteers

To speed up the drive, the organisation has recruited students to work as part-time volunteers. They will visit the stores teeming with Aadi shoppers and sell tickets. Besides earning an incentive, they will gradually take ownership of the river, she says.

She says Siruthuli is mainly looking at inspiring the younger generation.

"Elders know about the glory of the river. It is difficult to convince children because they have not seen any water. Once they do things will change. A glistening water body does something to your soul," she concludes.

Drop boxes will be put up in places where people gather in large numbers.

Else drop your contributions at the Siruthuli office at 308, Raheja Centre, Avanashi Road.

Call 0422-4333301/02 for details.

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