MADURAI: The Vaigai Protection Committee has urged the Government to clear weeds from the Vaigai dam to Ramanathapuram big tank.

A resolution passed at its general body meeting held here recently with the president of the Vaigai Irrigation Farmers Association, Aalathur Govindan, in the chair, the committee expressed concern over the exploitation of the Vaigai river water by private firms and industries, which had sunk deep bore wells on the river banks. As this would affect the ecology in the area, the Government should take immediate action to halt exploitations, he said.

Another resolution thanked the Government for having cleared weeds and renovated the banks of the Vaigai in the Madurai Corporation area. Measures should be taken to prevent water from flowing waste into sea from the Periyar dam. The water level of the Periyar reservoir should be restored to 152 feet, it said.

Yet another resolution sought formation of special teams with police and members of the public to prevent sand mining along the riverbed. Water should be released continuously into the Vaigai to help meet the drinking water requirements of people.

Encroachments along the course of the river should be evicted and its boundaries clearly demarcated, erecting seven-feet high stone pillars.

The meeting underscored the importance of creating an awareness among the student community of the importance of conserving the Vaigai. Representatives from Madurai, Sivaganga, Virdhunagar, Dindigul, and Theni districts participated.