The Nandangarai is a perennial stream originating in the Western Ghats. It flows down for about 3 kms through the densely covered forest and 2 kms along the eastern forest boundary to join River Chinnar at Sadivayal check post. There are 12 small streams (small and medium) that contribute water to the Nandangarai stream.
Nandangarai Stream |
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Towards restoring River Noyyal, Siruthuli constructed a check dam across the stream to impound about 100 million liters of water with an average depth of 9 meters. This project was being initiated under the "Namakku Naamae Thittam" of DRDA [District Rural Development Agency], Coimbatore. Of the total construction cost of 1.28 crores, 51% was given by Siruthuli as public contribution and the balance 49% was given by DRDA.
Before Construction |
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The makeover of this small forest brook to a charming water body involved a series of processes:
- Jungle clearance
- Topographical Survey
- Preparation of design & estimates for check dam
- Preparation of project proposal for submission to District Collector, Coimbatore
- Approval of project under “Namakku Naamae Thittam” with DRDA participation
- Construction work commenced with Boomi Pooja on 14th March 2008
- 240 days of excavation at the project site
- 197 days of concreting at the project site
- 1,10,000 cubic meters of soil excavated
- 3200 cubic meters of concreting laid
- Towards administering this project, 4 technical persons dedicated almost 7680 hours
- 70,736 person hours of labor employed
- 5 Nos. of poclain engaged during 240 days of excavation days
- 3 Nos. of concrete mixer machines engaged during 197 concreting days
- 2 Nos. of chain dozer, 10 Nos. of tipper, 10 Nos. of tractor, 2 Nos. of electric water pump and a generator set were engaged for almost 8 months to accomplish this dam construction
- As a result, a concrete structure was raised for 30 meters width and 4 meters height to temporarily block the running water of Nandangarai Stream that finally confluences with River Noyyal
- Further, to impound running water, an impounding area for 220 meters length and 95 meters width and for a depth of 9 meters was excavated.
- Thereafter, to prevent soil erosion, bunds were strengthened by laying and growing grasses on those slopy layers and also by planting vetiver all around the dam.
- Finally, Nandangarai Check Dam was dedicated to the public on 26th December 2008.
While Implementation |
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Construction of a checkdam across Nandangarai stream has a galore of measurable and non-measurable impacts:
- Availability of water perennially in a 12 kms radius, facilitating the cultivation of crops throughout the year.
- Provides employment opportunities for about 2500 agricultural laborers and their families.
- Provides drinking water requirements of the tribal hamlets surrounding the project area and of about 3000 cattle that go for grazing to the forest.
- Serves as water hole for wild animals like elephant, wild boar, deer and bear in the western ghats
Nandangarai Check Dam |
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This project happened to be the first and only one of its kind in Tamil Nadu executed by DRDA (and Siruthuli) at such a lower cost. This happened to be a fore runner for more such projects along the Western Ghats which will eventually convert the water starved Kovai region into a water rich region as envisaged by our former President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam who said: “Coimbatore will be a water surplus city by 2010”.
The assertion of the farmers of this region that they have water available in their wells and borewells through-out the year today, itself is a true testimony to our slow pacing towards a water-surplus city.