Kudimaramathu will revive water bodies in state: CM

“The supply of clay, silt, and gravel from the beds of tanks, channels and reservoirs to farmers, and potters for free is another benefit from the project,” the CM observed. 

Palaniswami said efforts are in place to desilt all dams and other water reserves and restore them to its full capacity. Furthering the list of water conservation projects in the State, the CM said new checkdams and dams would be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore in the next 3 years and water from rivers to lakes which would help recharge ground water. 

“The flood damage reduction plan for Cauvery basin is being executed at a cost of Rs 1,560 crore while the Centre had approved project to improve the delta irrigation at a cost of Rs 14,500 crore and development of the Cauvery basin at an estimate of Rs 2,298 crore,” he said. 

He stated that as many as 7.55 crore saplings were planted under the green cover increase drive by Forest department and 3.99 crore saplings were planted in celebration of former CM J Jayalalithaa’s birthday since 2012. 

“Reviving sandal tree plantation in Vellore, Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri and Tiruchy districts was being executed at a cost of Rs 100 crore since last year and restoration of green cover lost in Cyclone Vardah was under way at a cost of Rs 13.42 crore. Restoration of rivers Vaigai and Noyyal is being implemented at a cost of Rs 24.58 crore,” he said. 

Encroachments and industrial pollutants destroyed rivers, said Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam while speaking on the occasion. 

“We lost many rivers to industrial waste and factory effluents which were let into them. Bearing this in mind, the State is following in the footsteps of Jayalalithaa who kick started reclamation of Cooum river. We need to evolve scientific methods to restore rivers,” he said. He added that thrust should be on removing encroachments besides taking steps to prevent flooding and implementing novel sewage water recycling technologies. 

“Groundwater exploitation is another area which requires our attention. It has gone down in a drastic rate in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode and Salem, in the past 5 years. Rainwater harvesting and thoughtful use of groundwater might come in handy,” OPS said.