Minor irrigation tanks across T.N. undergo major revival; NGO partnerships boost efforts

In its efforts to rejuvenate minor irrigation tanks across Tamil Nadu, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department has launched large-scale restoration projects and partnered with voluntary organisations in various districts.

Of the nearly 5,000 minor irrigation tanks proposed to be rejuvenated at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore, the department has started works on nearly 3,260 tanks under the State fund. A total of 706 minor irrigation tanks are being restored through voluntary organisations at a cost of ₹45.39 crore.

The comprehensive restoration efforts aim at enhancing the storage capacity of the water bodies by desilting and deepening them, strengthening of bund and using innovative technologies to recharge groundwater and treat sewage entering tanks, said officials.

In Chengalpattu district, which is dotted with numerous water bodies, about 200 of the total 500 tanks have been taken up for revival under ‘Mission Blue-Green Chengalpattu’. Officials of the District Rural Development Agency, Chengalpattu, said some of the water bodies have not been dredged for nearly two decades.

“We are open to voluntary organisations seeking no-objection certificates for the rejuvenation of 388 tanks. The district administration has collaborated with the Environmental Foundation of India (EFI), a non-governmental organisation, to rejuvenate and enhance the storage capacity of 100 minor irrigation tanks. We review the progress of the works periodically,” said an official. Some of them belong to the Water Resources Department and support both agrarian and drinking water needs.

On innovative methods used in revival efforts, an official said the tank in Mannivakkam Tamaraithangal, a rootzone plant, which is a natural method to treat wastewater, has been added to filter domestic sewage and recharge groundwater. The DRDA expects to complete the works, which aim at a significant increase in storage capacity, by early October.

Residents like P. Viswanathan of Chitlapakkam, however, wanted a complete survey of water bodies and their catchment areas to be done to prevent misuse. Besides updating tanks’ records, restoration efforts should be sustained to benefit farmers and residents, he said.

Arun Krishnamurthy, founder, EFI, said nearly 165 tanks are being revived across T.N. “We are aiming for quantum-based restoration, demarcate the boundary, and remove impediments. The excavated silt is being used to strengthen bund and create nesting islands.”

Those tanks, particularly in flood-prone zones, are being provided with recharge boxes and recharge injection wells to harness more water. In 25 water bodies, including Keelkattalai lake, solar powered aerators are being provided to improve water quality.

Works are already being executed in water bodies, including Ozhhalur Kadaperi, Polambakkam periya eri, Arasankazhani, Kalvoy Raman eri, Rathinamangalam eri and Sonalur Thangal. Similar works are being implemented in districts like Erode, Sivagangai and Tiruvallur, he said.