Girijans convert tree trunk into water storage facility

Rajamahendravaram: The Girijans of Erragondapakala of Chinturu mandal in the remote Agency area of East Godavari district have found a mystifying a way to quench their thirst. Located amidst hills and deep forest, the tribal village used to be under the jurisdiction of ITDA of Bhadrachalam.

However, after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the village was brought into the Chinturu mandal. The girijans had to trek on a kutcha road for at least 10 km and cross a rivulet to reach the village. During the monsoon, the 148 Girijans of the hamlet comprising 41 families rely on water in the rivulet for all their needs. However, during the rest of the year, they have no water source to quench even their thirst, but for one source in the hollow of a tree.

The Girijans converted the trunk of a huge tree into a storage facility which provided them with water throughout the year. Girijan women take the pitchers to the water source and fill them. The tree has also become a source of recreation for the whole village with children and youth playing and singing under its shade.

By M Sri Rama Murty