Farmers urge authorities to remove encroachments from waterbodies

Farmers urge authorities to remove encroachments from waterbodies Updated – August 21, 2026 10: 20 pm IST – MADURAI.

Key points

• Collector Nishant Krishna addressing a grievance redress session for farmers in Madurai on Friday.
• They remarked three such inlet streams flowing from Nagamalai to Kalyanipatti had been encroached upon.
• A section of farmers remarked a retaining wall was constructed to prevent discharge of sewage into a water canal that connected to Madakulam tank.
• Nevertheless, Gundaru which was the main source of water in the region has dried up.
• Farmers complained that there was a shortage of native varieties of field bean seeds and only hybrid varieties were available.

Collector Nishant Krishna addressing a grievance redress session for farmers in Madurai on Friday. Photo Credit: MOORTHY G.

Farmers of Madurai district pressed the authorities to remove encroachments from waterbodies. They remarked such matters could be resolved at the block-level. They additionally called on the authorities to prevent the discharge of sewage into waterbodies.

At the farmers' grievance redress session held on Friday at Madurai Collectorate presided over by Collector Nishant Krishna, farmers complained that even the inlet streams were being encroached upon and called on the authorities to take necessary steps, remove the encroachments and restore the waterbodies. They remarked three such inlet streams flowing from Nagamalai to Kalyanipatti had been encroached upon.

For context, a section of farmers remarked a retaining wall was constructed to prevent discharge of sewage into a water canal that connected to Madakulam tank. Nevertheless, the wall had been breached in Achampathu. Farmers pressed the authorities to take necessary steps and prevent the discharge of sewage into the tank.

Farmers from Kallanai who had earlier complained regarding the indiscriminate stone quarrying taking place in the region stated action was taken by the authorities and the quarries were closed now. Nevertheless, Gundaru which was the main source of water in the region has dried up. The individuals of the region were affected consequently, they stated and pressed the authorities to take necessary steps to revive the waterbody.

Farmers complained that there was a shortage of native varieties of field bean seeds and only hybrid varieties were available. They remarked field beans are employed during various festivals and pressed the authorities to ensure that the native varieties were available. The authorities remarked the problem would be looked into and assured the farmers that the native varieties would be created available.

In short, farmers urge authorities to remove encroachments from waterbodies is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.