Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the World. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
Vision
VISION
Mission
MISSION
THe TEAM
The volunteer group formed by like-minded people to rejuvenate the river Noyyal and its water bodies. It was formed in 2017 at Perur lake where we have pledged to clean the lakes by removing the plastics, de-silting, etc., Soon we attracted the public in and around Coimbatore and started to clean Noyyal River and the lakes on all the weekends. We, now in the 100th week of water bodies cleanup work, awareness and plantation drives. We cleaned 5 Lakes in Coimbatore, created 3 Miyawaki forests, and planted more than one lakh Palm seeds.
KEY ACTIVITIES DONE SO FAR
It is very important to gain knowledge from the work we do. In fact, it will help to keep us focused in the path we progress. In order to that, we planned do a rally across the check dams of Coimbatore.
We have 19 check dams in and around our city. With our volunteers support we gathered public and students at a point and started our rally sharing the details of the respective check dam.
Also I have organized a big event by bringing the most important person whose advise is need of the hour for our city. Rajendra Singh is a well-known water conservationist from Alwar district, Rajasthan in India.
Also known as “Water man of India”, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for community leadership in 2001 for his pioneering work in community-based efforts in water harvesting and water management. His advise and experience help our team on the technical side.
We are now concentrating on to increasing the green coverage and restoring ground water level all over the city. To increase the green coverage, we have planted over 6000 saplings of native trees using Miyawaki method (dense forest concept) surrounding Vellalore Lake. Apart from that we have planted 1000 herbal plants and 1500 other all variety plants in the same location. Our overall target is to plant at least 16000 saplings around Vellalore Lake and more in and around the city.
As a result the tank is cleaned and filled with Noyyal river water after 17 years and the lake becoming a new birds sanctuary of Coimbatore.
Palm trees have N number of uses from its top to bottom. It is known for its benefits when they are planted near water bodies. Our literature confirm the same. Recently we are severely losing our state tree due to various reason. In order to save them and to protect the water bodies we decided to plant 1 Lakh Palm seed in and around lakes from Siruvani to Perur. This was done from Oct-3rd to Oct-7th in order to strengthen the bunds and help recharging the ground water table.
Revamping the water canals are the most important part of restoring the lakes in Coimbatore. So far we have revamped 19.50 Kms of water canal in Coimbatore and 1250 Tons of sludge has been removed. This action played a vital role in filling up the Vellalore lake with the Noyyal River water. It took two years for us to complete the task with the help of Government, volunteers, and other supporters. We are yet to clean many other water canals.
We have already crossed 176 weeks of continuous fieldwork. Of which, around 50 weeks have been spent on cleaning the lakes and spreading awareness to the public. With the support of volunteers, we have removed 50 tons of plastics manually from various the lakes in Coimbatore. We regularly concentrated on the main ponds in the city and attracted public attention to the need to protect the ponds. This movement, which started with just 10 people, is now having over five thousand direct and indirect volunteers & supporters.
The story of noyyal
Rivers were the main reason for humans standing in one place and growing civilization. The Noyyal River was a sign of the Kongu region in Tamil Nadu and the reason for agriculture. The ancient archaeological site of Kodumanal is located on the banks of this river.The Noyyal River originates in Coimbatore, in the forests near the state boundary of Kerala, on the Western Ghats. Various creeks forming in the Western Ghats are joined by Thombilipalayam in three small rivers called Periyar, Chinnar, & Thollaiyiram Murthy Kandy.
The famous waterfalls Kovai Kutralam is located in Periyar and the Vaidhegi Falls is in Thollaiyiram Murthy Kandai. It is here that the river gets its name Noyyal. Then the river flows 180 Kms through Perur, Kuniyamuthur, Vellalore, Irugur, Sulur, Mangalam, Tirupur, Orathupalayam and joins Kaveri River at Noyyal, Karur.
The Noyyal River water flows only 10 months per year. But, the kings of the Kongu region had developed some water management systems, to use the river water throughout the year. For this, 32 check dams were built across the Noyyal River and over 40 tanks were created in the river flowing cities. The stored water was used for agriculture and drinking purposes. On the whole, the Noyyal River was the livelihood of the people of Coimbatore.
The river which flowed 180 km through 3 districts without any hassle, now struggling even to cross the city border due to the encroachments in the river banks, and dumping solid wastes into the river.The ancient check-dams are dilapidated without maintenance. The ponds are filled with shrubs, and their capacity is reduced.
Also, the river became one of the most polluted rivers due to the mix of sewage waters in Coimbatore and untreated dye wastes in Tirupur. Due to these reasons, the river water becomes unusable neither for agriculture nor for drinking purposes. Hence, it was called a dead river by the nature activists.
Noyyal needs us
With the help and support of the government, private companies, media and the volunteers, we have de-silted 19 kms of water canals plus 400 acres of lakes and planted more than one lakh palm trees. We have been doing all these through the fieldwork on each Sunday morning. So far, we have completed 163 weeks of continuous field works. As, how mothers’ breast milk is important to a baby, Mother nature’s water is important for all forms of life. Due to modernization our water bodies are polluted heavily, and as a polluter we have the responsibility to prevent it and revamp them. Though the government is making efforts, nothing is possible without the participation of the public. That's why we have formed KKPA and working on to enhance the banks of the river, remove the sludge from the canals, & the lakes and to increase the green cover throughout the city.
With the help and support of the government, private companies, media and the volunteers, we have de-silted 19 kms of water canals plus 400 acres of lakes and planted more than one lakh palm trees. We have been doing all these through the fieldwork on each Sunday morning. So far, we have completed 196 weeks of continuous field works.
Following are the task we have currently involved in
- 1. Creating a biodiversity model at Vellalore lake.
- 2. Sowing palm seeds alongside the bunds of water bodies and on the sides of water channel.
- 3. Distillation of ponds
- 4. Recovery of waterways.
- 5. Maintaining the check-dams
- 6. Setting up green cover and herbal forest around the water bodies.
- 7. Awareness session at schools and colleges
- 8. Plastic cleaning drive at lake area.