Keralites United To Bring A Dead River Back To Life. Here’s Their Inspiring Story.

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

And to prove how magical can a united faction be, sample this incredible group of Keralites!

Local river Varattar, stretched for over 9 kms, was dead and dry for many years. But it wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, it was a perennial freshwater source, linking two rivers in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala.

As much as the earth has been exploited by man, it’s obvious why the river was dead. Land encroachment and sand mining were few of the major reasons. Also the scant rainfall in the area had left the river completely dead.

 

According to Livemint, after Kerala hit its worst drought this year, people started discussing what they can do to make it all better. That’s when talks of reviving this river started to take shape.

 

A local committee was built which initially charted the entire plan on how can they make sure that the river breathes again! Many powerful men with political affiliations came together and put their 100% into the plan. Finance minister, Thomas Isaac said –

“The initial plan was to create a small channel between the two rivers Varattar bridged once and infuse water into the dead river.”

“This required clearing up of sedimentary structures, weeds, garbage piles and so on. But people were so enthusiastic that they widened the width of it in several places.”

 

The locals decided to pitch in too and soon from a discussion, it became a massive people’s movement! People not only ended up putting manual labour in the project, they also chipped in from their pockets and in the end collected as much fund as Rs.10 Lakhs.

 

According to local Panchayat President, Annapoorna Devi, this money was enough to make sure that masons who worked on the project would get their wages and equipment.

 

On June 8,the project began and as of 9th July, 2017, the dead river breathed more than it was expected. This picture sums up the work of a united local community and it’s just joyful to see!

Do you see the shinning river, almost brimming with water? This is what unity does, it makes you unbeatable!

Kudos, to everyone who joined hands to make sure that Varattar breathes again!