“Creation of KMTR prevented human intrusion into forests, revived river”
Creation of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in 1988 was one of the major reasons for the revival of Tamiraparani river which was drying up at that time, says D. Venkatesh, District Forest Officer, Kodaikanal.
During his tenure as Deputy Director at KMTR between 2006 and 2012, Mr. Venkatesh conducted an elaborate study of conditions that improved rainfall and water flow in the region, besides revival of the river. “Until around two decades ago, the livelihood of nearly 34,000 people was dependent on the Kalakkad and Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuaries where illegal grazing of cattle, poaching and firewood collection were rampant,” Mr. Venkatesh told The Hindu on Friday.
According to him, as many as 3,215 persons ventured into the forests each day and not less than 22,000 cattle were let to graze.
“Till 1970, the Tamiraparani was a perennial river. Because of rampant illegal activities, it slowly started to dry up. Between 1975 and 1985, there was water flow only for eight months,” he adds.
However, the creation of KMTR in 1988 and an eco-development project undertaken since 1995 helped in preventing human intrusion into the forests and revived the river.
“The dams in KMTR recorded better inflow and received more rainfall. The average temperature had also reduced and the vegetation improved,” he adds, quoting his study.
Protecting the habitat of tiger by formation of tiger reserves will definitely protect water sources in the region, says Mr. Venkatesh.
Naturalists such as C.P. Rajkumar of Vaigai Association for Nature and Mountain Ranges, an environmental organisation based in Theni, suggest that similar measures should be taken to protect Meghamalai hills, the source of water flow in the Vaigai.
“Since 1975, the Vaigai is dying every day. Earlier, there was water flow in the river for eight months, but now it is dry most of the time,” Dr. Rajkumar says.
He adds that reviving the Vaigai is the need of the hour since it is one of the major sources of drinking water and irrigation needs of people in Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts.
