Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Check Dam Helps Sustain Tribal Farming During Nilgiris Drought
The Nilgiris received much less rain than usual during the southwest monsoon.
This caused many farmers’ crops to dry up.
Tribal families in Bokkapuram depend heavily on rain-fed farming.
Rural Development Organisation Trust built a small check dam at nearby Thottalingi village.
The dam stored nearly 10 million litres of water.
Families used this water to grow crops on 42 acres of land.
The water also helped with sanitation and gave elephants a place to drink.
The organisation now plans to build more check dams in the area.
Rural Development Organisation Trust built a check dam at Thottalingi village near Bokkapuram.
The dam harvested nearly 10 million litres of water over three months.
Stored water enabled tribal families to irrigate 42 acres of farmland.
The project also supplied water for sanitation in a tribal hamlet.
Wild elephants use the dam, and the NGO plans more dams in Bokkapuram.
- Who
- Rural Development Organisation Trust, with financial support from Supraja Foundation, built the check dam for tribal farming families and wildlife.
- What
- A check dam stored nearly 10 million litres of water and supported irrigation, sanitation, and wildlife.
- When
- The water was harvested over the three months following construction, during a failed southwest monsoon.
- Where
- Thottalingi village near Bokkapuram, in the Nilgiris and the buffer-zone limits of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
- Why
- The dam was built to respond to severe drought conditions and protect local agriculture, tribal livelihoods, and wildlife.
- Organisation
- Rural Development Organisation Trust
- Funding
- Supraja Foundation
- Dam location
- Thottalingi village near Bokkapuram
- Dam dimensions
- 10 feet long and 4 feet high
- Water stored
- Nearly 10 million litres over three months
- Farmland supported
- 42 acres
- Additional benefit
- Water for tribal sanitation and elephants