சிவகங்கைக்கு இந்தியாவின் முதல் பெண் விடுதலைப் போராட்ட வீராங்கனையை சீமையின் ராணியாக முடிசூட்டிய பெருமை உண்டு. இவர் வீரமங்கை என்று அழைக்கப்படும் வேலு நாச்சியார் ஆவார். கிழக்கிந்திய கம்பெனியுடன் போர் தொடுத்த முதல் இந்திய ராணி வேலு நாச்சியார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. இத்தகைய பெருமை வாய்ந்த சிவகங்கையின் நீர் நிலைகளை சீரமைக்கும் பணியில் E.F.I ஈடுபட்டுள்ளது.
The Sivaganga District spreads over 4,189 sq.km in south Tamil Nadu. Its borders are as follows: Pudukkottai District to the north and northeast; Ramanathapuram District to the southeast and south; Virudhunagar District to the southwest; Madurai District to the west; and Tiruchirappalli District to the northwest.
The Vaigai River is a significant river that flows through the Sivaganga area. Agriculture is the primary source of income for the majority of the workforce. The district is covered with red soil, with paddy being the principal crop. Other crops include sugarcane, groundnut, pulses, millet, chillies and cotton.
Water for the Sivaganga District
Although Sivaganga has a multitude of water bodies such as kanmai and oorani, they have deteriorated over the years due to a lack of proper maintenance. A study on “Drought analysis in the southern region of Tamil Nadu” found that 63.6 percent of the total area in Sivaganga district is under drought. This alarming statistic shows the severity of the water crisis in the region.
We at E.F.I are on a Blue-Green Mission to improve Sivaganga’s overall hydrological health and enhance green cover in the region. As part of our journey, we have kick-started with the Kanjirangal Afforestation Project. Simultaneously, we are planning to restore two water bodies in the nearby area- the Kanjirangal Lake and Sholapuram Lake.
Kanjirangal Lake
The Kanjirangal Lake is nestled in between the NH 36 and Manamadurai-Thanjavur roads that run along its western and eastern region. It is situated to the north of Kanjirangal village and sprawls around 36 acres. Surrounded by a vast expanse of agricultural land, this water body is crucial to recharge groundwater in the region.
The Kanjirangal Lake is a seasonal body of water with varying water levels and a borewell located inside it. It currently confronts major issues such as dumping of animal waste, excessive weed growth, diminishing groundwater levels and pathogen contamination.
Take a look a the parched land mass of the Kanjirangal Lake:
Sholapuram Lake
Located towards the north of the Kanjirangal Lake is the Sholapuram Lake. Spanning 32 acres, this lake is nested in between the NH 36 towards its east and Perumalpatti-Easanoor Road towards its west. The lake is surrounded by agricultural land, residential houses and educational institutions.
As an important water body in the interconnected lake system, the Sholapuram lake facilitates groundwater recharge for the nearby Easanoor and Perumalpatti villages. However, the lake’s ecological health has been affected by excessive silt accumulation, overgrowth of weeds and agricultural runoff. This has reduced its water storage capacity, resulting in a decline in groundwater levels.
Efforts are underway to restore the Sholapuram Lake and transform it into a biodiversity hotspot.
By working on Kanjirangal Lake restoration, Sholapuram Lake restoration and Kanjirangal Afforestation project, E.F.I’s initiative aims to provide a solution to two critical environmental issues- degradation of land and water bodies. E.F.I ‘s Blue Green Mission is a pivotal step towards a greener and sustainable Sivaganga.
Stay tuned to witness how we work on creating a Blue-Green Sivaganga.
Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I