WRD begins removal of invasive plants from irrigation tanks along Palar River in Vellore

Ahead of the Northeast monsoon, the Water Resources Department (WRD) and Exnora International have started to remove the invasive seemai karuvelam (Prosopis Juliflora) in dry irrigation tanks along Palar River, to store excess rainwater from reservoirs located upstream. 

Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) said the initiative was mooted by Collector P.S. Leela Alex after farmers in the region requested the district administration to remove invasive plants. “Removal of invasive plants in waterbodies, especially lakes will help increase groundwater in the area. It will also help increase the total farming area in the region,” said S. Raman, a farmer.

WRD officials said that around 20 irrigation tanks have been identified for the purpose. Of this, removal of invasive plants in six tanks, including Thorapadi in Vellore Corporation, Agaramcheri, Kolamangalam, and Melmanavur were completed. “The removal of invasive plants in the tanks is being done on a war footing before the advent of monsoon rain. Most of the irrigation tanks in the district will be covered in phases,” said R. Senthilrajan, coordinator, Exnora International (Vellore).

At present, 101 irrigation tanks are maintained by the WRD in the district. Each tank is six-metre-deep and is spread across at least 50 hectares. Most of the tanks have thick vegetation, mostly invasive plants.  

WRD officials said that on an average, around 15 tonnes of invasive plants grew in one acre of irrigation tank. Work for removal is estimated to cost around ₹6 lakh per tank. Currently, around 200 hectares of land i have been covered under the initiative.

Special teams of WRD officials will monitor the entire exercise, which is done by Exnora International. The excavated plants in the tanks were sent to paper making and wood-brick making units in southern districts. It will take two years for the regrowth of invasive plants in the waterbodies after the exercise.

WRD officials said that removal of invasive plants in irrigation tanks on a large scale is being done for the first time as a permanent measure to save rainwater.

Traditionally, brick kiln operators were allowed to remove invasive plants from waterbodies, as they use these plants as firewood to burn bricks. However, due to operational difficulties the practice was discontinued.