Rally For Rivers - Cauvery Calling

 

Cauvery Calling : Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post, Coimbatore - 641114

Media Queries: media@cauverycalling.org

Phone: +918000980009

Email: support@cauverycalling.org

The name “Cauvery” literally means “one who brings abundance.” But this once mighty river is mighty no more.

In the last year, the suffering of farmers and their suicides in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the Cauvery basin, have made national headlines. The depletion of Cauvery and the distress of farmers are two manifestations of the same problem.

One Problem, Two Faces

Cauvery's Depletion

• As trees disappear, soil is being eroded, Cauvery is drying up, and farmers are suffering.
• Cauvery has depleted over 40% in the last 70 years
• 87% of the basin’s original tree cover has been lost
• Almost half the Cauvery basin suffers critical groundwater depletion.

Farmer Distress

• The suffering of farmers and their suicides in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have made national headlines.
• 47,190 farmer suicides in 15 years in Cauvery basin
• 83% of farmers in Tamil Nadu and 77% of farmers in Karnataka are in debt
• 17 districts in Tamil Nadu were drought-hit in 2019
• 15 of the last 18 years have been drought years in Karnataka

Why Cauvery Is Dying

Cauvery, like almost all rivers in India, is forest-fed. Historically, this region was covered in forests and tree cover. The soil was constantly replenished with nutrients and organic matter by animal waste and plant litter. Organic matter allowed the soil to absorb water, and thus feed Cauvery.

As Trees Disappear...

Growing human populations and inefficient agriculture practices have led to an extreme loss of tree cover and the soil is no longer sufficiently replenished. The soil no longer absorbs water efficiently and suffers erosion instead. The soil, having lost its ability to retain water, is unable to sustain Cauvery. As a result, the river is drying up. The falling water levels and dying soil are taking a devastating toll on our farmers, who suffer failed harvests and crippling debt.

Saving Cauvery

To reverse this dire situation, revitalize Cauvery, rejuvenate the soil, and improve farmers' income, Cauvery Calling will support farmers to plant 242 crore trees. It is estimated that these 242 crore trees will increase water retention in the Cauvery basin by about 40%.

Cauvery Calling is a first of its kind campaign, setting the standard for how India’s rivers – the country’s lifelines – can be revitalized. It will initiate the revitalization of Cauvery river and transform the lives of 84 million people.