The Hindu : Front Page : NGO to study water bodies rejuvenation

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Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007
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NGO to study water bodies rejuvenation

K.V. Prasad

SAFETY MEASURE: The project looks at treating sewage before discharge into the tanks. — Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore Corporation has asked Action for Food Production (AFPRO), a Non-Governmental Organisation, to study the condition of tanks and canals in the city and propose measures to rejuvenate them. It will also have to work out the restoration cost.

This is the first time the civic body is appointing a consultant to bail water bodies on its territory out of trouble - caused by encroachments, discharge of untreated sewage and the resultant growth of hyacinth.

The work by Siruthuli, a public initiative to revive tanks here, will be carried forward by the Corporation's programme. While Siruthuli's primary effort involved de-silting the tanks to recharge the ground water table, the proposed project will also have additional efforts such as treating sewage before discharge into the tanks.

The Corporation, however, will not carry out the work. It will be given to private organisations with a proven track record of reviving and conserving water bodies, either locally or in other parts of the country, according to Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran.

AFPRO's record in studying the impact of water resources on living conditions and livelihood, and the also its rejuvenation works had made the Corporation opt for its consultancy services. It will be paid Rs. 44.89 lakh.

But, the rules of the mission say that the organisation providing consultancy services cannot carry out rejuvenation. When asked whether Siruthuli will be asked to do it, the Commissioner says the implementing agency will have to be chosen through the process of tenders. The Corporation will not commit now on who is capable of doing this work even though the opinion is that Siruthuli has a proven record and can understand the local conditions better.

AFPRO experts may be here this week to make a preliminary assessment of the conditions.

On the Corporation's new initiative, Siruthuli's Managing Trustee Vanita Mohan says: "One of the people who called up to offer New Year's Day greetings actually wished that this year should prove to be good for the tanks and canals also."

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