Concrete walls in the name of modernization; Noyyal river renovation project draw flack
Coimbatore: The much awaited renovation process of Noyyal river at an estimated cost of 230 crore by the previous government led by Edappadi K Palaniswamy draws flack now as the officials from the present government involved in the project, eyes to build concrete walls instead of keeping black stones on the shores.
This ₹230 crore noyyal river renovation project will focus on the renovation of River Noyyal flowing through four districts namely Coimbatore, Karur, Erode and Tirupur, in which the entire river length has 31 tanks and 23 check dams. Starting the project with the hope to benefit these district people, it has now raised eyebrows among environmentalists that the river itself is a sorry state.
“The construction of concrete walls across the shores of Achankulam, Kannampalayam, Pallapalayam and Vellalore by clearing bushes and reeds will affect the river in several ways and will affect the ecosystem of the river”, said Manikandan, environmentalist. Activists who are on the field protecting water bodies even during the pandemic urge the ruling government to take immediate steps as concrete walls in the name of modernization will only cost the ecosystem of the river.
Members from Koushika River Association, who work for the wellness of the rivers under Koushika nathi project, also say that concrete walls are unwanted. They say the government must step in to understand the need for such walls on the shores as it affects birds that migrate from various places to the river. “Birds visiting these rivers might be stopped in the future as the construction of concrete walls on shores will cause absence of natural biodiversity” said one of its members.
Activists and environmentalists also say they are likely to form a committee and take up this issue to the state government’s knowledge. However, they also stressed the importance of placing black stones in the shores. An environmentalist on condition of anonymity also noted that the government and officials involved in the project must begin to stop the effluents getting mixed into the river at first hand. Industrial wastes are getting mixed into the Noyyal river and the government must take steps to stop the river from getting polluted, the environmentalist added.
This ₹230 crore noyyal river renovation project will focus on the renovation of River Noyyal flowing through four districts namely Coimbatore, Karur, Erode and Tirupur, in which the entire river length has 31 tanks and 23 check dams. Starting the project with the hope to benefit these district people, it has now raised eyebrows among environmentalists that the river itself is a sorry state.
“The construction of concrete walls across the shores of Achankulam, Kannampalayam, Pallapalayam and Vellalore by clearing bushes and reeds will affect the river in several ways and will affect the ecosystem of the river”, said Manikandan, environmentalist. Activists who are on the field protecting water bodies even during the pandemic urge the ruling government to take immediate steps as concrete walls in the name of modernization will only cost the ecosystem of the river.
Members from Koushika River Association, who work for the wellness of the rivers under Koushika nathi project, also say that concrete walls are unwanted. They say the government must step in to understand the need for such walls on the shores as it affects birds that migrate from various places to the river. “Birds visiting these rivers might be stopped in the future as the construction of concrete walls on shores will cause absence of natural biodiversity” said one of its members.
Activists and environmentalists also say they are likely to form a committee and take up this issue to the state government’s knowledge. However, they also stressed the importance of placing black stones in the shores. An environmentalist on condition of anonymity also noted that the government and officials involved in the project must begin to stop the effluents getting mixed into the river at first hand. Industrial wastes are getting mixed into the Noyyal river and the government must take steps to stop the river from getting polluted, the environmentalist added.