siruthuli


	The need of the hour
	Board of Trustees
	Siruthuli Organization




	Progress Made Thus Far
	Current Work in Progress
	Future Planned Activities
	Annual Report

Currently, Siruthuli is involved in cleaning, dredging and de-silting of the Valankulam Tank

Sewage Details

Located in the heart of the city, Valankulam is the main arterial tank that recharges the ground water of a sizeable area of the city. Valankulam used to have the distinction of being a prime film shooting locale and a sailing practice site for the INS Agrani's Naval Officers. Over the years, serious encroachments and blocking of the water inlet points into this large water body has led to very rapid depletion of underground water in a 20 Km radius of the city.

Out of a total of 166 acres, 27 acres are encroached. Although it might seem that the encroachment area is less, as a percentage of the total area of the tank, the encroachments are all located at crucial water entry points, thereby blocking the free flow of water into the tank. Over a period of time, the slums have almost occupied the centre of the tank bed area. Vested interest in blocking the entry of water to prevent water inundation of the huts during the monsoons is also a reality

The toxic medical wastes and sewage from the Government Hospital and certain private hospitals are let into Valankulam. Additionally, spinach was cultivated over large tracts on the tank bed. Recent clinical investigations revealed a high count of E-coli bacteria present in the spinach harvested from Valankulam. We have been able to arrest the cultivation of spinach inside the tank.

Siruthuli started the de-silting and standardisaton of Valankulam on 10th September 2003. As city garbage disposal into this tank has been occurring over the years, garbage removal activity has been added along with clearing the contaminated spinach and silt. Percolation pits are also being made to enhance ground water augmentation.

So far, 26,455 cubic meters of garbage and debris have been removed from the Valankulam tank. Percolation pits have been created where possible. Further work is pending for clearance of all encroachments. The clearance of encroachments is being done by the Government.

Tree Park of Siruthuli ..

Click for Enlarged View

Noyyal Encroachments Removal Work

As an initial step of Noyyal restoration, with the support of the District Administration and Public Works Department, Siruthuli has started removing the encroachments, fixing boundary stones, forming demarcation bunds from Solaipadugai where the Noyyal River originates. The work commenced on December 28, 2005 from Solaipadugai where Periyar and Chinnar [Chadiyar & Nandangarai] join.

For Noyyal encroachment removal, DRDA has sanctioned an amount of Rs.10 lakhs under Self Sufficiency scheme. The work will be resumed shortly to cover the entire length of River Noyyal.

Noyyalukku Nooru - July 14, 2006

In order to create a sense of ownership of the river among the people of Coimbatore, Siruthuli launched Noyyalukku Nooru, a unique concept, on July 14, 2006. The essence of the program is to collect Rs.100/- from every citizen of Coimbatore over a period of 100 days for a dual purpose- to raise funds for the restoration of the river as well as to make Coimbatoreans a part of the process of restoration.

Siruthuli has already established contacts with trade bodies, professional bodies, residential associations, small and medium scale industries, large corporate, schools, colleges, governmental agencies, farmers etc. The Postal Department has come forward to help this noble cause by offering to collect money towards this project through their counters at the Post Offices as well as their local network of postmen. This will enable Siruthuli to reach every nook and corner of Coimbatore.

Fund raiser for Noyyalluku Nooru – July 14, 2006

In order to create awareness among the general public the “Noyyalluku Nooru” programme was launched by the famous Tamil cinema idol Mr Surya on July 14, 2006. The event was a day long programme which culminated with a Music concert by Lakshman sruthi of Chennai, at the PSG Tech Grounds. Apart from bringing in necessary financial resources for the Noyyal restoration prorgramme, this also created a sense of ownership of the river among the Coimbatoreans.