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Project Hyacinth at Kodaganallur

Project Hyacinth at Kodaganallur. January 2004. Background. Tamraparni the only perennial river in good flow today in the State River entirely in Tamilnadu – no disputes The lifeline of the Southern districts – caters to needs of people over a wide area

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Project Hyacinth at Kodaganallur

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  1. Project Hyacinth at Kodaganallur January 2004 MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  2. Background • Tamraparni the only perennial river in good flow today in the State • River entirely in Tamilnadu – no disputes • The lifeline of the Southern districts – caters to needs of people over a wide area • Ancient river – references in ancient puranas MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  3. Physical data • Tamraparni 125 kms in length • Originates in the Periya Podigai peaks in the Western ghats, fed by both monsoons • Has numerous tributaries including the Peyar, Ullar, Karaiyar, Servalar and the Pambar • Drains an area of 4400 sq.km. MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  4. Physical data MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  5. Irrigation S.No Name of AnaicutRegd. Ayacut (hctrs) Name of channels 1Kodaimelaalagain anaicut1281.67 1. South Kodaimelalagain channel 2. North Kodaimelalagain 2Nathiyunni anaicut1049.37 Nathiyunni channel 3Kannadian anaicut2266.69 Kannadian channel 4Ariyanayagipuram anaicut4767.30 Kodagan channel 5Palavur anaicut3557.26 Palayam channel 6Suthamalli anaicut2559.69 Tirunelveli channel 7Marudur anaicut7175.64 1. Marudur Melakkal  2. Marudur Keelakal MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  6. Problems identified by Government MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  7. Discussions by Government MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  8. Problems we see • River loosing depth and width • Plenty of floating weeds and vegetation on the banks • Water tastes different, pests cause skin problems Slide show MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  9. The Floating Weed – Water Hyacinth (Eichornea crassipes) FAO report states: • Appearance of the weed shows the highly distressed state of the ecosystem • Water hyacinth gains 5% in weight everyday • Two parent plants produce 30 offspring in 23 days resulting in 12000 plants – a total weight of 470 tons in 4 months • Atleast 80% of the plant body is water – some 370 tons • Per capita availability of water in India is 1/3 of what it was two decades ago MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  10. Ecological Impact “Water hyacinth forms large, free-floating, monospecific mats that compete with other aquatic species for light, nutrients, and oxygen. Mats reduce dissolved oxygen levels and light and significantly alter invertebrate and vertebrate communities. As biomass from mats decomposes, organic input to sediments increases dramatically. Fish spawning areas may be reduced and critical waterfowl habitat may be degraded” (Gopal 1987). MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  11. Economic and Human Impact • Reduces flow in drainage canals • Impedes flow in Irrigation canals by clogging pumps • Water flow patterns are disrupted • Interferes with navigation • Decomposed mats increase sedimentation and decrease dissolved levels of oxygen MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  12. Management Options • Prevention through public awareness • Chemical method – least favoured for its long-term impact on Environment • Physical control – using large machinery – expensive for large infestations • Biological control – a long-term, slow solution. Movie clip (not available on net) MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  13. Morning Glory on the banks • Large infestations and rapid growth • Called veli kathan as it prevents cattle from grazing into fields • Sap from plant poisonous, can cause disease • Serves no purpose on the banks except drain river water, and fill beautiful stretches of sand with vegetation MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  14. Prevention of Weed growth • Need to create awareness among community • As river is in flow, 100% solution would mean physically clearing 125 km stretch – a Herculean task for the community • Hence approached the Government – the Collector of Tirunelveli Mr. Paliwal. MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  15. The Government Perspective • “Flow is being maintained as always” • “Farmers are not complaining that they don’t get enough water” • “Our river is reaching people right upto Madurai” • “Perhaps there is reduction in width and depth of river” • “Physical removal is not a permanent solution – unless community prevents the spread of the weed” That is, in the short-term, there is no issue. MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  16. The Government Assurance to a Committed Community • Take up a “pilot” project in our panchayat (3 km of river) • Clear all weed under namakku naame scheme – with 75% funding from Government • Ensure regular removal of weeds in prevention – using NSS volunteers. MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  17. Why Now? • Total cost of project, as estimated by PWD, Rs. 3 lakhs • Community funding upto Rs. 75000 to be deposited with Collectorate for further release of funds and implementation of project under supervision • Paramakalyani College at Alwarkurichi willing to convert weeds into compost • When Government has pledged support, why not now? MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  18. Pros and Cons MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  19. Time Frame • Strike when the iron is hot – hence Weed removal to happen in March 2004 • Funding from this financial year’s allocation to be tapped • Hence application with community funding of Rs. 75000 to reach the Collectorate by 10 Feb. MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

  20. Issues resolved at Kodag group meeting (18 Jan) • How do we raise funds? : Contributions from Kodak-ites • Who controls collection?: Chitra Vasudevan in Chennai • How do we maintain transparency?: All contributions to be reported on daily basis on the internet in Kodag website • Who will co-ordinate with Panchayat President?: Trustee/President of temple now in the village, shall • How do we oversee operations at the village?: A team of volunteers to be present there • How do we ensure community awareness?: All contributors to be provided with a sticker – Say Yes to Water, No to Weed on Tamraparni • What are the tentative datelines? 31 Jan for fund-raising MAnava sEva mAdhava sEva makkaL sEvai mahEsan sEvai

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