For digging borewells in Sirumalai, clearance by Mines Dept. mandatory, farmers told
Farmers in Sirumalai, Dindigul district, were shocked to learn that clearance from the Mines Department is now mandatory for digging borewells, a decision they protested due to their reliance on borewells amid water scarcity. The Collector assured no delays but emphasized the decision was for public interest.
Why it matters
This new regulation significantly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in Sirumalai who depend on borewells for irrigation, highlighting a conflict between environmental regulations and agricultural needs in water-stressed regions.
A majority of the farmers from Sirumalai were in for a shock when the officials categorically stated that borewells should be dug in the hills only after clearance from Mines Department on Friday.
The monthly farmers’ grievance redress meeting was held at the Dindigul District Collectorate. Collector Durgamoorthi chaired the meeting. Senior officials from Agriculture, Mines, Forest, Revenue and Rural Development, WRD and PWD participated.
The farmers from Sirumalai demanded an explanation from the officials as they were not allowed to dig borewells in their habitations. Intervening, the Collector said that the farmers need not be apprehensive about the action. In the larger public interest, such decisions were being made by the government.
On receipt of the application, the Mines Department officials shall inspect the field for geological feasibility. Once, they were satisfied, the NOC (no objection certificate) would be issued. Hence, she appealed to the farmers to cooperate.
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