Chettiyan Kanmai
Project Details
Chettiyan Kanmai, nestled in Kanadukaathan village, has long supported farming and daily life in the region. Over time, siltation, weakened bunds and restricted access had reduced both its storage capacity and usefulness. With the support of the AMM Foundation, Siruthuli undertook a focused restoration in early 2022 to bring the kanmai back to health.
The water body was carefully dewatered, desilted to greater depths, and strengthened with rebuilt bunds and a newly created island. Special attention was given to deepening the pond along an aquifer fault line to enhance groundwater recharge. Outlet sluices and the surplus weir were repaired, ensuring safe regulation of water flows. To ease access for farmers and residents, a culvert was constructed across the supply channel, significantly reducing travel time and improving connectivity.
Today, Chettiyan Kanmai holds more water, recharges aquifers more effectively, and serves the community better, standing renewed as both a water source and a shared public asset.
What are the Benefits?
- 107% of the targeted increase in storage capacity achieved
- 25,471 cubic metres of additional water storage created
- Enhanced groundwater recharge along an identified aquifer fault line
- Strengthened bunds, reducing erosion and monsoon runoff
- Improved access through the construction of a culvert across the supply channel
- Reduced travel time and safer movement for farmers and local residents
- Strengthened community ownership through beneficiary participation