CHENNAI: "From the days when we were providing water to our neighbours — Chennai residents — we have been reduced to the level of pleading for water from other villages to meet our drinking needs," laments Dhanalakshmi of a village near Karanodai on the city's northern outskirts.

Her words reflect the anguish of the villagers whose lives have been affected by indiscriminate groundwater extraction to cater to Chennai's water demand, and sand mining.

Farmers highlighted the spill-over effects of the present water management system and official apathy to over-extraction of water, especially in the villages along the Koratalaiyar river belt, at a public hearing organised by Citizens Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) on Saturday at Karanodai.

The villagers said agriculture has been abandoned for almost two years due to lack of water. "We don't have enough water for our drinking needs, leave alone for agriculture," they said.

Pointing out that lack of water affected the education, Ms. Dhanalakshmi said, "My children go to school once in two days as there is not enough water to wash their uniforms and give them a bath daily."

The villagers said a few farmers of villages such as Athur sold water from their wells either lured by money or `pressured' by the government and others had no option except to follow suit.

Kalyani of Kannigaipair said the farmers were forced to sell their lands for industrialisation as ground water resources had been exhausted and water bodies abandoned. "We have been reduced to a state of borrowing water from other villages at Rs. 2 a pot."

S. Natesan of Karanodai spoke about illegal sand mining in the Koratalaiyar river basin, which has affected the groundwater recharge. He appealed to the government to stop sand mining to ensure recharging of groundwater.

Kothandapani of Sembulivaram village suggested checkdams be built across the Koratalaiyar river at every 2 km distance to store water for irrigation. Janakiraman of Siruvapuri questioned the suggestion for a change in crop pattern and said it would not suit the marginal farmers and casual labourers. M. Bhaskaran, Azhichivakkam village panchayat president, suggested desilting of water bodies and planting saplings.

He emphasised the need for the farmers' participation in the grievance day conducted at the district collectorate.

The public hearing was part of the CAG's study on `Chennai's water crisis: myths and realities,' which would focus on the impact of the extraction of natural resources on the surrounding villages of the city.

It would seek a solution to make the city self-sufficient in its water needs.

The findings of the study would be revealed by September-end and presented to the government.