The governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh States have responded positively to the plea made by Vellore MP Abdul Rahman, to initiate measures to revive Palar river in Tamil Nadu.
The MP had recently appealed to the Karnataka government to grow a dense tree cover in Nandi and Haldi hills in Kolar district (from where Palar originated), to attract more rains in the catchment areas. He had also requested the AP government to initiate cloud seeding programme in Chittoor district, to generate additional artificial rains, so that Palar river, which passed through Chittoor district for around 33 kms) before draining into Tamil Nadu, would get more surface flow and the ground water would be recharged. The Chief Ministers’ offices of both the States have assured necessary action in this regard, said Rahman.
A Asokan, secretary of the Organization for Environment Movement and Rural Development, an NGO here said it was significant that the Vellore MP Abdul Rahman had received a positive reply from the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and AP. “If both States go ahead ahead with these programmes seriously, there is a likelihood of surface flow in Palar river after decades, which might offer some solutions to the water woes of Vellore district,” he pointed out. The Tamil Nadu government should pursue the issue and set the ball rolling in this regard, he added.
The State executive member of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam R Mullai said the MP’s plea to the neighbouring States was timely as the assessment of dynamic water resources of the Vellore district, by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, had sounded an alarm for the administrators.
Mullai said ,“ He said both Kaniyambadi and Madanur had been the highest exploited blocks with 259 and 229 per cent extraction of ground water respectively, which meant that unless there was around 300 per cent recharge, “We cannot think of extraction.” This is possible only through more surface flow in the river through rains in catchment areas, he said. This is where the neighbouring States could play a vital role in not only reviving Palar but also undoing the damage done to it by them, Mullai added further.