Water, water, nowhere: a case study of Palayaseevaram village regarding sharing of water with the Chennai city and its impact on the village

Abstract

This case study documents how ground water exploitation in peri-urban areas is affecting local populations who are primarily dependent upon agriculture. Increasing urbanization and industrialization demands more water from surroundings. In Tamilnadu, as in some other states of India, surface water sources have been used to the optimum. There is an increasing dependency on ground water for irrigation as well as other needs, a reality reflected in Palar basin. This study focuses on implications of all water demand in urban areas on the rural poor and women. It tries to bring to notice the increasing pressure on available water sources and the changing pattern of ownership and accessibility. The study was carried out with particular reference to a village called Palayaseevaram, which is located at a distance of 56 km from Chennai city in India