Bengaluru-based research institute to lead restoration of Tamirapani river

The river supports wildlife such as the Nilgiri marten, slender loris, lion-tailed macaque, white-spotted bush frog, galaxy frog, Sri Lankan Atlas moth, and the great hornbill.

ATREE said that the Tamirapani river cradled the earliest humans in India over 3,200 years ago. “The river is the primary source of water for many towns in the Tirunelveli district. Today, the river is stressed because of industrial effluent release, sewage and water hyacinth. Initial study suggests that the river gets polluted due to industrial discharge and the dumping of solid waste, especially in the form of clothes and flowers by devotees,” it said.

“While the Tamirapani landscape, in general, appears water-rich, it faced severe drought in 2016 despite the diverse water storage systems in place. In 2021, in a contrasting situation, Tamirapani was in spate, but did not lead to any major disaster in the region,” ATREE said.

Based on the ground survey and consensus with the district administration, the major hotspots of concern have been identified for the restoration plan.

“The observed restoration challenges around the Tamirapani river are reduced ecological flows downstream due to agriculture, domestic water and industry. Water quality degradation is due to untreated domestic, agricultural, and commercial waste and inadequate waste treatment facilities. Reduced quality of life, human wellbeing and livelihoods of the dependent communities,” ATREE said.