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Water, Water

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Water is an extremely important resource in a rain shadow area such as ours. Over time, ground water depletion due to increased number of borewells, lack of recharge have led to water scarcity with people only digging deeper borewells. Not a good sign. However, good rains last year seemed to have helped. The dry Thally lake filled, overflowed, and has had water through this year despite low rainfall this year. Panorama of Thally lake - 2017 The Thally lake overflowing its bund. Seen from Thally-Hosur road. (2017) Ever since we bought the land a few years ago, we understood the importance of retaining rain water in our farm. We've been observing the flow of water, and over the course of time, dug a couple of pits and also deepened the ones that had naturally formed. We also cut a couple of trenches and a canal. One advantage we have is that we are in the valley, so water flows into our farm. The disadvantage is that we're not the bottom most, so it will flow out ...
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Of check dams and cheats

Circa May 2018, we received a call from a couple of unknown numbers. A few days later, when we spoke to them, they introduced themselves as someone who makes check dams.  Now, our farm doesn't really have much flowing water, so there was really no need to build a check dam.  But we did call them to the farm ask what they meant and turned out that they dig pits for storing water. We knew we needed to 'update' our existing water harvesting pits to increase the capacity so that we can hold water for longer through the dry season. As a result, we decided to go ahead. But before doing so, we wanted to be sure that we're not getting swindled and spoke to some folks who had gotten such work done earlier. When we did our due diligence, we were given a few warnings. That there are many frauds nearby. That such 'digger folks' will land a group of 20-30 people in your land and pitch tents.  If something goes against, then they will hound you, coming to your offi...
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Location: Unnamed Road, Averupally Agraharam, Tamil Nadu 635118, India
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Mango Season

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The trees are in bloom and one round of Agni Astra spraying is complete. 
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Sunrise

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Sunrise
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Fire control

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Fire damage A fire set on an adjacent farm spread into ours burning up dried grass and also damaging 2 mango trees that were near the boundary. The fire was brought under control and later made to spread in a controlled manner along the fence to prevent further mishaps. Fire has its benefits, but the point is to have the fire spread under our control and wildly which would result in more damage to trees, fauna, humans and property.
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Black Rumped Flameback (Female)

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A Flameback seen at the farm. 
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The start of the mango season

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This year's mango season has started with most mango trees in bloom. And some of them, already showing signs of little fruit.      
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