Sowmiya Anbumani calls for concerted efforts to protect Tamirabarani

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) MLA Sowmiya Anbumani on Sunday said that she would continue to raise her voice in the State Assembly for the preservation of Tamirabarani River in Tirunelveli district.

Addressing media persons here after inspecting the river at Kurukkuthurai here, she said the Tamirabarani, which originated in the Western Ghats, was a perennial river and had bathing ghats and mandapams like those in Kashi. “That is why it is called as the Kashi of the south.”

Emphasising that the Tamirabarani should have been protected more, she said sewage and industrial waste were being discharged into the river in large quantities. Th water was being supplied to soft drinks manufacturing companies, but no potable water was available due to pollution.

Ms. Anbumani said that people were distressed over reports that a loan of ₹59 crore had been obtained from Germany, and instead of using it to protect the river, projects such as a seven-km walkway and parks were being planned to be constructed along the river. “No construction should be undertaken in the river, and it should be allowed to flow its natural course. Bushes, parks and buildings obstruct the flow of the river, which is why floods enter residential areas,” she added.

She stressed that the ₹59-crore fund should be used to restore the ghats and mandapams in the river.

Pointing out that social activists had suggested various solutions to prevent sewage and industrial waste from being discharged into the river, she said a meeting should be conducted to discuss ideas and steps to protect the river.

The protection of the river could not be achieved through contribution of volunteers alone, but the government must implement schemes. The Tamil Nadu government must implement the recommendations made by water conservationist Rajendra Singh for protecting the river.