Tamil Nadu - Salem   

‘Water harvesting structures of Tamil Nadu neglected’

Salem: To save the water bodies in the State, the Tamil Nadu Environment Council (TNEC) has urged the government to form a separate Ministry on Water and Water Resources Protection and implement strictly the Tamil Nadu Tanks Protection and Eviction of Encroachment Act 2007.

Addressing a consultation held on the status of water bodies, particularly tanks, ponds etc, here recently, Mr. A. Renganathan, the West Zone Convener of TNEC voiced concern about the non-maintenance of tanks and encroachments. He said that the water harvesting structures of Tamil Nadu namely tanks had not been given enough attention and completely neglected. The traditional Kudimaramathu for preserving the tanks should be restored, he said.

Mr. L. Antonysamy, TNEC State Convener in his inaugural address said that unless immediate steps were taken to protect the water resources, internal wars for water would become an everyday affair.

He said that global warming resulting in climate change had already caused enough damage to the water and water resources. Deforestation added to the water crisis. Green Revolution had polluted all the water bodies due to the use and excess use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides, he said. Industrial pollution had spoiled the water bodies and ground water and rapid urbanisation was swallowing all the tanks, which were also polluted by domestic waste and industrial and commercial waste. He urged the State Government to form a separate Ministry for Water and Water Resources Protection.

Kalidass, Director OSAI, an environmental organisation in his special address said that management of water and water resources was the key issue and in Tamil Nadu needed immediate attention.

He said that Tamil Nadu rivers and tanks had organic links supporting each other, but today, this link had been completely cut off. TNEC District conveners Antony Michael (Salem), Alphonse Raj (Nilgiris) Saravanaraju (Namakkal) and Ms. Saraswathi, the Salem District Convener of Social Action Movement spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

‘Water harvesting structures of Tamil Nadu neglected’
Farmers seek police protection
Dropouts in vaccination centres have increased, say women activists
Westside to expand in Salem through franchisee
A widow’s battle for patta
SBI felicitates three toppers
Panchayat ward members resign

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu