CONSTRUCTING CHECK DAM USING TIN SHEET AND ARECANUT POLES
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| T.M.Govindan Nambeesan and V.M.Narayanan Nambeesan, Pathamkantam, Peringome, Kannur 670354 Ph: 0498-536523 |
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Two
farmers of Peringom Panchayat, Kannur, have developed a cheap
method of constructing check dam using tin sheets and arecanut poles.
T.M.Govindan
Nambeesan and V.M.Narayanan Nambeesan have constructed this check dam
in their farm to divert water for irrigation.
The
technology used is simple. The stream where they constructed the check dam is 10m wide.
First, using sandstone they built a basement projecting 30cm above
ground and 60cm wide, spanning the stream.
This was protected from erosion by rubble packing.
Next, an arecanut pole was stretched across the stream at
convenient height and the same held in position by wooden stays.
Based on slope, another pole is placed in a similar manner above
the first one.
Inferior
quality wooden planks join the two arecanut poles.
The whole surface is then covered with tin sheets and the joints
made waterproof using cement.
If
asphalt is used for sealing, instead of cement, the check dam will last
for many years. The second
advantage is that their method of construction can be done using 5-6
man-days.
For
a 10m wide stream, to store water up to 1.5m height, the cost of
construction comes to only Rs.5000. The
duo evolved this method 5 years ago. Earlier they experimented with asbestos sheets also.
If
financial assistance is forthcoming, they have plans to improve the check
dam by replacing the palm poles with GI pipes of 2½-inch diameter filled
with sand. Similarly, if tin
sheets are ‘framed’ like windows, their strength and ease of use can
be improved.
Downstream view of the check dam
Courtesy: Dr. K.M.Sreekumar and Dr. A.Anilkumar, Karshakasree, May 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
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