That’s the emerging view from agriculture experts and irrigation engineers as the Srisailam Dam, one of the lifelines from southern India, grapples with a massive accumulation of silf that threatens it’s structural stability, irrigation output and energy generation. Srisailam Minimum Draw down Level was fixed at 834 ft when Chandrababu Naidu was at helm in undivided state in 1996. This was down following the demands from the leaders from Telengana region.
While this accumulation hinders water shortage, energy generation and flood control, experts believe this ‘waste’ can be re-purposed to help address a pressing need in agriculture access to organic soil enhancers. Kurnool district agriculture department Joint Director Varalakshmi pointed out that Kurnool and Nandyal districts alone require around 6 lakh tons of fertilisers every year. Using nutrient-rich tank silt from Srisailam can promote organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Presentation -Dibyabharati Nayak