WRD steps in as sewage pollutes 100-acre pond in TN's Cheyur village
The Water Resources Department (WRD) is now planning to send a proposal to prevent the influx of sewage into the pond following a petition filed on behalf of the public to the 'Mudhalvarin Mugavari' department.
K Balraj, a farmer of Cheyur village, said, "The pond belonging to the WRD is on the Kunnathur road. It is a major source of water for our village, nearby villages, farmlands, and settlements within a radius of about 5 km. Although the pond benefits from the Athikadavu- Avinashi project, it currently has very low water storage. As there is not inadequate water flow in the Bhavani River, there is no water supply to our pond through the project."
"As sewage from local settlements enters the pond the groundwater in our village and nearby villages has been polluted. The water sometimes smells bad. People use borewell water for drinking, agriculture, and livestock. We have sent a petition to the Mudhalvarin Mugavari department, urging the government to take action to prevent sewage from mixing in the pond."
K Ramasamy, another farmer from the village, said, "The pond is currently lacking adequate maintenance. A major part of the pond is occupied by Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora). The government should take appropriate steps to remove this invasive plant and properly maintain the pond. The boundaries of the pond need to be redefined. Some places on the banks are occupied."
K Arul Azhagan, Executive Engineer of WRD, said, "Appropriate measures will be taken to remove Prosopis juliflora from the pond and prevent sewage from mixing with it. A proposal in this regard will be prepared soon and sent to the head of the department."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Multiple sources continue to add to Sal's pollution
Colva: River Sal, often referred to as the lifeline of Salcete, was once a vital source of livelihood and biodiversity. Today, it has become a dumping ground for garbage, releasing sewage and other waste. Now, multiple sources of waste are seen contributing to the pollution of the river as it winds through Salcete. For years, environmentalists and locals have raised alarms about River Sal's deteriorating condition. Alarmingly, the sewage treatment plant at Shirvodem, Margao, has been repeatedly blamed for releasing untreated effluents into the river. Another significant contributor to this environmental decline is the wholesale fish market at Seraulim. Large quantities of spoiled or waste fish often find their way into nearby ponds or directly into the river. In addition, the Styrofoam baskets used to transport fish and ice are seen carelessly discarded into the water. 'The damage affects the very heart of ecology, ponds, flora, fauna and the communities that depend on them. Without a coordinated and urgent response from both local bodies and state authorities, this river and many other water bodies around it will face a slow but certain death,' said a panchayat member. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A Apple Recomenda o Blinkist, O Melhor App Para Intelectuais Ao Redor do Mundo Blinkist Undo Sal's tributaries are choked with water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic weed that spreads rapidly in stagnant, nutrient-rich water. This thick green cover blocks sunlight from penetrating the surface, disrupting photosynthesis in native aquatic plants and depleting oxygen levels, often resulting in fish deaths and threatening the fragile aquatic ecosystem. Yet, despite the visible consequences, the water resources department (WRD) has no targeted plan to combat the spread of water hyacinth. A WRD official said that the department acts only upon receiving resolutions from local panchayats. Even then, action is dependent on technical feasibility and budget constraints. For a panchayat to pass a resolution on the cleaning of desilting a pond a collective request must be made by a group of farmers, which is then discussed in the civic body meetings and later at the gram sabha.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Delay in Anathanar canal water release leaves farmers in distress
Despite the repeated assurance from the Water Resource Department (WRD)that water would be released into Anathanar canal by the second week of June, the release has been delayed due to the ongoing restoration near Surulacode. As a result crops are withering, leaving the farmers in distress. Following the release of water from the Pechiparai dam on June 1 for the irrigation purposes across the district, farmers continue to express their concerns over the restoration of 'Ulli Odai' brook at the Anathanar canal near Surulacode may further delay the water supply into the canal. This concern was raised during the farmers' grievance redressal meeting as well. However, the official from the WRD department assured that the brook would be restored shortly and water would be released by the second week of June. During that time the WRD officials attributed the delay to a shortage of materials needed for the restoration work. Due to continued non-release of water, paddy fields and crops are withering in Siramadamam and other villages of Thovalai taluk. Chenbagasekara Pillai, a farmer of Thuvarankadu stated that around 9,987 acres of agricultural land are being irrigated through Ananthanar canal directly and indirectly. 'The district administration and WRD department are carrying out restoration at their own pace, without considering the plight of farmers and importance of timely irrigation,' he added. He noted that the paddy varieties sown in the region, mainly 'Ambai 16' and 'TPS 5' have a growth duration of 110 days. With over 35 days already elapsed and no water supply, farmlands have begun to crack due to dryness. 'There will be no use even if the water is released now. The farmers cannot achieve the maximum yield,' said Mr. Chenbagasekara Pillai.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Rejuvenation of Saduperi irrigation tank near Vellore on fast track
Work to build man-made islands for local migratory birds, a boating facility, and a tiled walking track for visitors at Saduperi irrigation tank near Vellore Corporation limits on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) is on fast track with the deepening of the waterbody nearing completion. Minister Duraimurugan inspected the ongoing work, which was started in March by the Water Resources Department (WRD) that maintains the tanks, and urged officials to expedite the remaining works. 'The perennial tank helps to recharge the groundwater covering at least 8-10 villages in its surroundings. Most of these areas are farming villages,' E. Amrish, Assistant Engineer (AE), WRD (Vellore Anaicut), told The Hindu. Spread over 250 hectares, the tank, on average, can store 205 mcft (million cubic feet) of water. Under the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Twin Lakes scheme, the WRD took up the rejuvenation work at a cost of ₹19 crore. As part of it, Saduperi is being desilted to the original depth of 6.5 metres. The tank will be deepened to store additional rainwater during the monsoon. A tiled walkers' path is also being laid on the bund of the tank to a distance of 1.5 km. Hand failings are also fitted to prevent walkers, especially children, from falling into the tank. Steel seating arrangements will also be built on the walking track with adequate lighting facilities. Two man-made islands are being created at the centre of the tank to attract tourists. Native tree species will be planted on the islands. Saplings will be procured free of cost from the Department of Horticulture and farmers. It will draw a large number of local migratory birds to the tank. Boating facilities will also be constructed. WRD officials said that the southern end of the tank has a lot of human settlements. Most of the garbage was dumped in the tank, resulting in pollution. To prevent such illegal dumping, a two-metre-high steel fence will be erected around the tank to a distance of 1,700 metres. As part of efforts to ease access to the tank, WRD will lay a bitumen approach road for around two km to connect the tank with the Corporation areas like Thorapadi and Konavattam. It will reduce a detour of at least 8-10 km. The new stretch will also help WRD officials to inspect the waterbody during monsoon easily. At present, more than 15,000 residents in at least eight surrounding villages depend on the tank for water consumption. Borewells were laid around the bund of the tank by local bodies to meet the water needs of its residents. Of the 519 tanks in Vellore, 101 tanks are maintained by the WRD, including 16 tanks in Vellore taluk alone.
