Oorani rehabilitation by DHAN Foundation

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DHAN Foundation implemented a program to improve the condition of the oorani s in 25 selected villages of Ramanathapuram district. The program has several innovative features such as village level organisations to develop the oorani s, earthwork using men and machines to create efficiently, quickly and economically a capacity sufficient for a hamlet, and take up structural improvements such as fencing, infiltration well, inlet structure, steps etc.

DHAN Foundation began the tank rehabilitation program in Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts to raise farm productivity through people's participation in the tank command area by restoring a tank's original capacity. The farmers were organized into Tank Farmers Association (TFA) that did the reclamation work together with Government departments. The TFAs mobilized 25 per cent of the expense as their contribution either in cash or kind or both. They handled the funds allotted for the work. The programme was a success and attracted the attention of other villagers to duplicate the restoration method. The joint action led to the oorani programme in the district.

Oorani rehabilitation activities

Earthwork, cutting, lifting and transporting: Reviving an oorani requires a massive input of effort and funds. Excavation implies disposal of silt but which cannot be dumped on bunds. It has been found that 75 per cent of the total earthwork had to be disposed of far away. This required funds.

Providing inlets : In most cases water entered the oorani through open cuts. That led to erosion and slippage that affected the bunds. Regulation (the quantity and velocity) of inflow could be done with additional structures.

Providing steps: A rehabilitated oorani must be more than 2m deep. The height of the bund and clayey soil made it difficult for women to fetch water from the ponds. Therefore steps were needed.

Providing fences: Fencing is needed based on how dependent people were on the oorani for drinking water, how far the oorani was, sources and levels of pollution, and whether there were other sources of water.

Providing indirect water drawing mechanism: Filter wells, draw wells and ring wells certainly help women in drawing water from the oorani . This has been observed at Pattikadu village, in Thirukazhikundram taluk, Kancheepuram district and elsewhere .

Mobilising philanthropy for Oorani revival

How can your donation help?

A donation of Rs. 4,00,000 will revive an Oorani in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. This will save nearly 200 families from the crushing problem of water scarcity. For ever.

A donation of Rs. 2000 will provide drinking water security to a single family. But this can help in the long term only if an oorani is revived or a new one created.

Ordinary people are reclaiming most of the oorani s today. It therefore makes sense to reach out to the common man in India and abroad and motivate them to contribute towards reclaiming and protecting these water bodies for those whose survival depends on them. Given that the world today has shrunk (thanks to the Internet and web-based banking), the people across the globe can be linked. DHAN Foundation intends to pursue this idea. Every completed work could be named after the donor or, if the donor so desired, in the name of the village.

The contribution would be passed on to the villagers association directly but the villagers would have to do collective work and contribute 25-30 per cent of the total cost. The accounts of the village groups would be audited annually and read out at village meetings. DHAN would ensure the quality of work done. Dhan will provide a narrative and financial report to the donors on completion of the work. Photographs and a brief report on the completed oorani s along with Donor names will be put up on the website.

An NRI team has funded an oorani project.

Read success stories of rehabilitation.

You can also do it….

To help save the lives of the Life saving Ooranis
Kind hearted well-wishers
Can sponsor an Oorani

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