published by - · pdf filethe real motive and dynamic force behind this report is the...

Published by

ENVIS Centre

Department of Environment

Government of Tamil Nadu

Assisted by

ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited

Anna Nagar West,

Chennai – 600 040.

DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE FOR

ECO SENSITIVE AREAS IN

TAMIL NADU WESTERN REGION

(COIMBATORE, TIRUPPUR, KARUR AND ERODE)

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jiyik¢ brayf«

br‹id – 600 009 ehŸ : 31.03.2015

HANS RAJ VERMA, I.A.S.,

Principal Secretary to Govt.,

Environment and Forest Dept.,

Secretariat, Chennai-9.

Date: 31 .03.2015

Foreword

Conserving biodiversity and the ecosystem is the only hope for a better world. These are

matters of urgency that require sustained concerted high-level attention as they have broad

impact not just on the land, but also on economic and social development, and needs to be

considered in the context of sustainable development of the State. To this end, we must ensure

that the demand on the environment from which we derive our sustenance, does not exceed

its carrying capacity for the present as well as future generations.

Protecting an environment simply implies the sustainable use as well as management of

natural resources which include wildlife, water, air, and earth deposits. There are renewable

and non-renewable natural resources. Conservation of natural resources generally focuses on

the needs & interests of human beings, for instance the biological, economic, cultural and

recreational values. Conservationists have the view that development is necessary for a better

future, but only when the changes occur in ways that are not wasteful.

The main focus of the District Environmental Profiles of Eco-sensitive areas of Tamil

Nadu is to provide the baseline data, which will aid in the formulation of an appropriate policy

for wise management of the resources. The District Environmental Profiles of Eco-sensitive

areas of Tamil Nadu is of great utility as it provides all the basic information required for

carrying out environmental monitoring, assessment and enforcement by various Departments

such as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, TWAD Board, Chennai Metro Water and

Sewerage Board etc.

I congratulate DR. H. Malleshappa, I.F.S., Director of Environment and his staff, especially

the ENVIS Centre, for bringing out this report. I hope that this report will be a benchmark and

be used for conserving the environmental resources of Tamil Nadu by all stakeholders.

DR. H. MALLESHAPPA, I.F.S.,

Director of Environment

Department of Environment,

Saidapet, Chennai-15

Date: 31 .03.2015

Preface

The District Environmental Profiles of Eco-sensitive areas of Tamil Nadu provides a general

picture of the various biophysical and socio-economic conditions prevailing in the three Eco-sensitive

areas of Tamil Nadu and an understanding of how human activities affect the environmental conditions

and its implications on human health and economic well being. It also provides an overview of the

outcome of responses such as policy initiatives, legislative reform and changes in policy behavior. The

Profiles document the present status of key sectors that are concerned with the environment; and the

issues that impact in key sectors such as demography, agriculture and horticulture, forests and wildlife,

biodiversity, water resources, coastal and marine environment, energy, industrialization, urbanization,

archaeology, tourism, pollution, waste management and infrastructure. In the absence of a centralized

repository for environment related data, this report would serve as the database for policy formulation

and preparation of environmental management plans in Tamil Nadu.

I would also like to thank all the Government line Departments and Institutions for providing

valuable data and information for the preparation of this report. I am extremely thankful to Thiru Hans

Raj Verma, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests Department and for his valuable

guidance during the preparation of this Report. I express my thanks to Dr. Jayanthi M., I.F.S., Additional

Director, Department of Environment and all the staff of the Department of Environment during the

preparation of this Report. Further, I thank the staff of the ENVIS centre for collecting, collating and

analyzing scientific information from various sources and compiling this report in the present form.

I am sure the District Environmental Profiles of Eco-sensitive areas of Tamil Nadu, brought out

through the pioneering effort of the Department of Environment will be useful to all the departments of

the Government, researchers and students for environment planning and management.

I welcome comments and suggestions for improving the report.

Director

Department of Environment

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The District Environmental Profile for the districts of Coimbatore, Karur, Tiruppur and

Erode is the outcome of serious efforts and combined team work of large number of Engineers & Scientists of ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited.

The real motive and dynamic force behind this report is the Department of Environment, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. In this regard we are extremely grateful to Dr. Malleshappa (Indian Forest Service), Director of Environment and his team for their suggestions, constant encouragement and meticulous care taken at all stages of preparation of the District Environmental profile for the Western Region –Tamil Nadu.

We are also thankful to the various Government Departments that helped us by providing data and their comments and suggestions on the different Chapters in this report. The different personnel from the Government Departments include: S.No Name of Person & Designation Name of Government Department

1. Ms. M.A.P. Saraswathy, Archeology Officer,

Department of Archaeology, Tamil Valarchi Valagam, Halls Road, Egmore, Chennai. 600 008

2. Thiru. S. Ananth, Joint Director,

Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health No.5, Chepauk, Chennai. 600 005

3.

Dr. D. Gunasundar, Senior Scientist,

Central Ground Water Board, E-Wing, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, Chennai. 600 090

4. Thiru. R. Ramanathan, Executive Engineer,

Environment Cell Division, Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai. 600 006

5. Thiru. A. Arumugam, Assistant Director,

Department of Economics and Statistics, DMS Campus, No.359, Anna Salai, Chennai. 600 006

6.

Dr. R. Asokan, Scientist "E" & Director of Hydrology Division

Regional Meteorological Centre, No.50, New No.6, College Road , Chennai. 600 006

7. Thiru. K. Vadivel, Deputy Hydrologist,

Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board, No.31, Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, Chennai. 600 005

iv

8. Thiru. K.S. Kadiravan, Assistant Director (WRD),

State Ground Water and Surface Water Resources Data Centre Tharamani. Chennai. 600 113

9. Thiru. C. Chandrasekaran, Deputy Director (Pulses & Oil Seeds),

Agriculture Department. Chepauk Chennai. 600 005

10.

Ms. V. Poonguzhali, Deputy Manager (QA),

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd., No.692, M.H.U.Complex II Floor, CIT Nagar, Nandanam, Chennai. 600 035

11. Dr. N. Karthikeyan, Joint Director (Health),

Medical and Rural Health Services, DMS Complex, No.359, Anna Salai, Chennai. 600 006

12. Dr. Ahana Lakshmi, Scientist,

Institute of Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai. 600 025

13. The Member Secretary Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, 76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032

14. Thiru. K. Rammohan, Assistant Conservator of Forests,

Forest Department, 9th Floor, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai. 600 015

15.

Thiru. G. Srinivasan, Superintending Engineer (Civil), Environment Management Cell,

Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO) NPKRR Maaligai, No.800 Anna Salai, Chennai. 600 002

16.

Thiru. S. Panneerselvam, Deputy Planner,

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Thalamuthu Natrajan Building, No.1, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai. 600 008

17. Dr. M. Jagadeesan, Additional City Health Officer,

Corporation of Chennai, No.1131, EVR Periyar Salai, Park Town, Ripon Building, Chennai. 600 003

18. Thiru. S. Ambethkar, Deputy Director,

Department of Geology and Mining, Thiru.Vi.Ka. Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. 600 032

19. Thiru. C.V. Vadivelu, Executive Engineer (WRD),

Institute of Water Studies, Tharamani, Chennai. 600 113

20.

Thiru. K. Krishnasamy, Executive Engineer (STP),

Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, No.1, Pumping Station Road, Chennai 600 002

v

21. Thiru. Sugato Dutt, I.F.S., Head of Division (Land Use),

State Planning Commission, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005

22. Thiru. Pon. Senthilnathan, Assistant Secretary,

Transport Department, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005

23.

Thiru. J. Chandrakumar, I.A.S., Director of Land Reforms,

Commissionerate of Land Reforms, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005

24. Thiru. Prasanth Kumar, Scientist,

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research, Anna University, Chennai 600 025

25. Thiru. A. Sivaprakasam, Assistant Director,

Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Opp. to LIC, Chengalvarayan Building, 4th Floor, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002

26.

Thiru. I. Joyee Olive Rachel, Deputy Director (Fisheries Extension),

Departmentof Fisheries, ADMIN Buildings, Teynampet, Chennai 600 006

27. Thiru. S. Chinnadurai, Assistant Director,

Directorate of Cencus Operations, Ministry of Home Affairs, Rajaji Bhavan, Chennai 600 090

28. Ms. D. Suseela, Assistant Director,

Department of Horticulture & Plantation Crops, Agriculture Complex, III Floor, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005

vi

The team at ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited Include:

S.no Name Designation

1. Dr.R. K. Jayaseelan Technical Director and Environmental Coordinator

2. Mrs. K. Vijayalakshmi Manager - Environment

3. Mr. Bipin P. Chari Project Engineer

4. Mrs. Supriya Bellad Project Engineer

5. Mr. M. Mohamed Assain Project Engineer

6. Dr. R. Hemapriya Project Engineer

7. Mr. Mukund Ramesh Junior Project Engineer

8. Mr. P. Bharath Junior Project Engineer

9. Mr. M. Jaganath Junior Project Engineer

10. Mr. A. Ashok Kumar Junior Project Engineer

11. Mr.G.Vineeth Pethu Junior Project Engineer

12. Ms. R. Akshaya Junior Project Engineer

13. Ms. P. Sherin Junior Project Engineer

vii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As the 21stcenturybegins, several well established environmental trends are shaping

the future of civilizations all over the globe. Rising temperature , falling water table , shrinking cropland per person , collapsing fisheries , shrinking forests , the loss of plant and animal species , all these have become universal concerns. Land degradation, Biodiversity, air pollution, fresh water resources and hazardous waste management have been identified as major issues that face the districts of Coimbatore,Karur, Tiruppur, and Erode in the western region. Thereport has been prepared in the view of the outcome of response of such as policy decisions.

Specifically rise of rapid urbanization and industrialization has increased the need for time bound and comprehensive management of hazardous wastes in the region. Urban landfills, with enormous quantities of waste pose a major problem for the health of towns and cities, causing air and ground water pollution in the western region. Solid waste management and disposal in cities and towns is providing to be a major challenge. Illegal dumping with great health hazards continuous in most of the urban centres of the western region.

In addition to the growth in human population over the years a large pool of potential users for both the monitoring and reporting functions of the system.The growth in human population over the years has had both the positive and negative impact on overall quality of environment in the western region. As the demand for energy has increased the potential for electrical energy production has also been tapped to a great extent.

The report is intended to provide a benchmark for future environmental reporting and

also to serve as the database for policy making and preparation of environmental management plans. At present the required data lies scattered in the archives of various government departments and agencies. This report is intended to bring all the data available to one place from which the required data can be accessed and collected by different Government Departments.

This report is divided into eight chapters where in Demographic profile, Land

resources, Biodiversity, Water resources, Tourism & Archaeology, Industrialization & Urbanization and Eco-sensitive aspects of the District have been amply discussed.

The Tamil Nadu Government have upheld several measures through various

departments for a sustained development of Tamil Nadu for the present and future generations so that we will be able to conserve and use natural resources at an optimum level.

viii

CONTENTS

1. Coimbatore District

1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Human resource and Demographic transition 1 1.3 Land resources 3 1.4 Biodiversity 16 1.5 Water resources 24 1.6 Tourism and Archeology 32 1.7 Industrialization and Urbanization 34

1.8 Eco-sensitive aspects of Coimbatore District 45

2. Tiruppur District



3. Karur District



4. Erode District



5. Institutional Mechanism for Environmental Management 121

6. References 130

Coimbatore District

1

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Coimbatore district is one of the districts located in the western part of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is located between 10˚10’ and 11˚30’ degrees of the northern latitude and 76˚40’ and 77˚30’ degrees of the eastern longitude. The district headquarters is Coimbatore city. It is considered as one of the most industrialized cities of Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore district shares its boundaries with by Palghat district of Kerala on the west, by Idukki district of Kerala in the south, Tiruppur district in the east and Nilgiris in the north.

The present Coimbatore district consists of two revenue divisions of Coimbatore and Pollachi and has ten taluks namely Annur, Coimbatore (north), Coimbatore (south), Valparai, Sulur, Kinathukadavu, Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Madukkarai and Perur. The taluks (Figure 1) are further divided into 295 revenue villages.

Figure 1: Map of Coimbatore District

(Source: http://tnmaps.tn.nic.in/district.php)

Coimbatore district has got a high concentration of small scale industries and medium and large scale industries. It has a well-developed textile industry. The successful growth of cotton served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry.

The development of hydro electricity from the Pykara Falls in the 1930 led to a cotton boom. Coimbatore isalso famous for the manufacture of motor pump sets and varied engineering goods. Located in terrain feed area of the Western Ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very good climate all the year round with a fair amount of rainfall. The main rivers that flow through the district include Noyyal, Bhavani, Amravathi, Aliyar and Palar.

The black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry. Availability of huge quantities of lime stone in Ettimadai & Valaiyar area of Madukkarai Block has helped the growth of cement industries.

Coimbatore district has a high forest area cover. This is predominantly due to the Western Ghats range. Accounting for approximately 22 % of geographical area of the district, forests exist in Karamadai, P.N.Palayam, Thondamuthur, Madukkarai, Anamalai & Valparai Blocks. Timber, Fuel Wood, Gallnut, Mango & Elavam are major forest products available in this district.

1.2 HUMAN RESOURCE AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION

Demographic Aspect

As per the Census of India 2011, population of Coimbatore district was found to be 3,458,045. Of this 50% (1,729,297) are male and 49.9%

2

(1,728,748) are females, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Table 1: Population of Coimbatoredistrict 2011

Persons 3,458,045

Males 1,729,297

Females 1,728,748

Sex Ratio: 1000 (Source: Statistical handbook ofTamil Nadu-2013)

Figure 2: Population of Coimbatore district vs. Tamil Nadu during 2001-

2011

Growth Rate

Coimbatore district has a population of 2,216,620 according to the 2001 census. The population had grown by 18.56% since 2001 whereas the population growth of Tamil Nadu is only 15.6% (Table 2). It is the sixth most populous district in the state. Coimbatore is not only one of the most populous districts of Tamil Nadu but also densely populated as seen in Table 3&Figure 3.

Table 2: Decadal growth during2001-2011

Persons

Year Population

Growth Percentage (%)

1991-2001 (+) 16.69 %

2001-2011 (+) 18.56 %

Table 3: Density of population in Coimbatore

Coimbatore 2011 (No.s) 2001 (No.s)

731 631

Figure 3: Population density of Coimbatore district vs. Tamil Nadu

during 2001-2011

Density of population in Coimbatore is 731 persons per sq.km (Table 3) whereas the state average is 555 persons per sq. km. One of the main reasons for increase in population is due to migration to urban areas for employment. This results in increase of population in the urban areas demanding more infrastructure facilities in respect of water supply, power supply, sewage and solid waste disposal etc.

3

Rural - Urban Population

Coimbatore is also relatively more urbanized than the other districts in the state. According to the 2011 Census, 75.73% (Table 4) percent of the population of Coimbatore lives in urban areas whereas the level of urbanization as compared to the state is 48.4 percent.

Table 4: Percentage of Rural and Urban Population

Coimbatore District

Rural 24.27%

Urban 75.73%

The increase in level of urbanization in Coimbatore over the period 2001-2011 is mainly due to employment opportunities. The emergence of major textile, industrial, commercial, educational, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors has provided many jobs. Other important industries include software service. In the 2001 census, all statutory towns and places that satisfy certain demographic and economic criteria are treated as urban. All Town Panchayats have been included in the urban frame irrespective of whether they satisfy the demographic or economic criteria.

Poverty

The poverty in urban parts of the District is found to be much higher than the poverty level in rural parts of Coimbatore. The Percentage of population below poverty line in the rural population is at 22.4 %, while in the urban population it is at 27.8 % (Table 5).

Table 5: Status of Below Poverty Line

Coimbatore

District

Rural 24.4%

Urban 27.8%

Literacy level

Coimbatore district has a high level of literacy. As per census 2011 it was 83.98% of the total population (Table 6). This is higher than the state average which is 80.33 %.

Table 6: Percentage to literates to total population

Persons 83.98%

Males 89.06%

Females 78.92%

The high literacy rate can be owed to the successful establishment of government and private colleges in the district. Coimbatore district is home to 54 engineering colleges, 2 medical colleges, 18 polytechnics and more than 70 Arts and science colleges.

1.3 LAND RESOURCES

Land use

The geographical area of Coimbatore district is 47,00,000 ha. According to professional survey and also village records, the land use pattern during 2012-2013 is indicated in the following Table 7 and Figure 4 & 5.

4

Figure 4: Land Use Change from 2000 to 2013

Table 7: Land utilization pattern in 2000-2013

Classification 2000-2001 (ha)

%

2006-2007 (ha)

%

2012-2013 (ha)

%

Forest 158528 21.2 158801 21.3 111871 23.7

Barren and Uncultivable uses

10265 1.4 7464 1.0 4793 1.0

Land put to Non-Agricultural uses 92004 12.3 106025 14.2 75040 15.9

Cultivable Waste 2004 0.3 13997 1.9 8606 1.8

Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Land

1139 0.2 85 0.0 77 0.0

Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves not included in Net Area Sown

4339 0.6 3383 0.5 3309 0.7

Current Fallows 146807 19.7 84525 11.3 28111 6.0

Other Fallow Land 13689 1.8 57842 7.7 64438 13.6

Net Area Sown 317375 42.5 314957 42.2 176077 37.3

Net Area Sown more than once

- - 18375 2.5 8995 1.9

Gross area sown - - 333332 44.6 185072 39.2

Total Geographical Area 747079 100 747079 100.0 472322 100

(Source: Directorate of Town and Country Planning)

5

Figure 5: Land Use in Coimbatore District

Types of Land

Forest land

In Coimbatore district, an extent of 111871 hectares of land comes under forest land as on 2012-2013. This represents 23.7% of the total geographical area of the district. The forest area for Coimbatore district in the year 2006-2007 was 158801 ha. This included Tiruppur district.

Barren and unculturable land

In Coimbatore district, an extent of 4793 hectares of land comes under barren and unculturable land category, which represents 1% of the total geographical area of the state.

Land put to non-agricultural uses

The lands occupied by buildings, roads, canals and land put to uses other than agricultural purposes are brought under this category. Area under this classification is 75040 hectares accounting for 15.9% of the district’s geographical area. The extent under this category has increased during the year under report as compared to 2001 and 2006.

Culturable waste

The total area under culturable waste (the arable land that is not taken up for cultivation) is 8606 hectares or 1.8% of the total geographical area of the district. This may be due to non-availability of water resources and man power.

Permanent pastures and other grazing lands

All grazing lands are considered as permanent pastures. An extent of 77 hectares of the geographical area of the district falls under this category.

Land under miscellaneous tree crops

Lands under casuarina trees, thatching grasses, bamboo bushes and other groves for fuel etc., which are not included under orchards are classified under this category. The extent is 3309 hectares or 0.7% of the geographical area of the district.

Current fallow lands

The cultivable lands, which are kept fallow during the entire period under review is known as current fallow. The area under current fallow during 2012-2013 constituted 6% of the total geographical area of the district with an extent of 28111 hectares as against 84525 hectares during the year 2006-2007.

Other fallow lands

All lands which are taken up for cultivation but have temporarily put off cultivation for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years are treated as other fallow lands. An extent of 64438 hectares, which is 13.6

6

% of thetotal geographical area. There is an increase of 6% under this category of land as compared to the previous year.

Net area and gross area sown

Net area sown represents the area sown with crops during the year only once. 176077 hectares of land constituting 37.3 % was cultivated once with various crops during the year 2012-2013. The gross area sown represents the total area cultivated under all food and non-food crops including the area sown more than once. The gross area sown during 2012-2013 is 185072 hectares. The area had sown more than once during 2012-2013 is 8995 hectares.

Metropolitan Area

The main metropolitan area of Coimbatore i.e Coimbatore city has been ever expanding till date. At present, due to urbanization the city has seen conversion of agriculture land for urban land use. The table showing increase in Metropolitan area is given in

Table 8 and Figure 6. The Land use break up of Coimbatore city for the year 2002 is given in Table 9.

Figure 6: Expansion of Coimbatore

city

Table 8: Metropolitan Area of Coimbatore

Year Area in Sq.Km

Growth in Percent

1973 38.28 -

1989 79.05 105.6

2004 135.75 71.5

2010 274.34 102.3

Table 9: Break up details of land use in Coimbatore city (2002)

Land Use Area in Ha. %

developed area

% total area

Residential use 6318.68 78.76 59.84

Commercial use 279.40 3.48 2.65

Industrial use 491.00 6.12 4.56

Educational use 661.50 8.25 6.26

Public & Semi public use 271.89 3.39 2.57

Agricultural use 2537.53 -- 24.03

Total 10560.00 100 100 (Source: DTCP, 2002)

7

Figure 7: Coimbatore master plan land use 2002

Figure 8: Coimbatore master plan land use 2021

8

The metropolitan area of the city has expanded from 38.28 sq.km in 1973 to 247.34 sq.km in 2010. This is due to urbanization and growth of the city population. The land use plan for the city (Figure 7 &Figure 8) shows an increase in residential areas in the south –western region. Most of the commercial area in this region has been converted to residential area.

Industrial areas have also increased in the master plan land use 2021. Most of the Land allotted for agriculture is located near the Noyyal River.

Classification of Soils

Red soil and black soil are major soil types available in the Coimbatore district. The soil classification of Coimbatore district is furnished in Table 10 and the extent for each soil is given in Table 11.

Table 10: Soil classification in Coimbatore district

Type of Soil

Places in District (Blocks)

Red Loam

Anamalai,

Pollachi North ,

Pollachi South, Thondamuthur(parts)

Lateritie Soil

Valparai

Black Soil

Sulthanpet, P.N.Palayam

S.S.Kulam(parts),

Sulur,

Parts of Madukkarai.

(Source: Agriculture Contingency Plan for Coimbatore District-2013)

Table 11: Soil Classification and extent for the year: 2011 – 2012

Type of Soil Area

(‘000 ha)

Deep black soil 87.6

Deep red soils 86.5

Moderately deep black Soils

74.6

Moderately deep red soils

35.9

Shallow red soils 59.4

Very deep black soils 22.9

A map showing the Soil Classification in the district is provided in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Map Showing Soil classification of Coimbatore district

9

The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry. Black soils, also called black-cotton soil, are found in most parts of the district. They contain iron-rich granular structures and are resistant to wind and water erosion. They are also highly moisture-retentive, thus responding well to irrigation. The successful growth of cotton that served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry.

Red Soil is also widely found in the district. It is due to the presence of iron oxide deposits, that red soils get the unique red tint and are comparatively infertile because of lime deficiency and soluble salt content. Some of the major crops grown in the red soil are groundnut, millets, ragi, rice, potato, sugarcane, wheat, tobacco. These soils are acidic in nature and this is one similarity between laterite soils and red soils. Red soils are not able to preserve moisture and hence, crops are cultivated mostly during the rainy season. In order to get higher yield in this type of soil, constant application of manures is very vital.

Agriculture & Horticulture

Major Agricultural Crops

Major Agricultural Crops cultivated in this district are crops Sorghum, Groundnut, Maize, Cowpea, Rice, Cotton. The most produced crop is Sorghum and the highest productivity is found in Maize. Details of the total production and productivity are found in Table 12.

Some of the rain dependent crops include Bajra and Jowar (millets), Paddy or Rice, Maize, Groundnut, Cotton, Sugarcane and Turmeric.

Rain fed Crops is prone to breaks in the monsoon during the crop growth due to water stress. This water stress may be due to variability of rainfall, delay in sowing, diversity in crop management practice and variability of the soil type. The prolonged breaks can result in complete failure of the crops

Horticulture

Horticulture includes cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants. It also includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design. Coimbatore district provides a pleasant climate profile for the cultivation of horticultural crops.

Major Horticulture Crops

Major horticulture crops cultivated in this district are fruits crops like mango and banana, vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bhindi and onion, spices like turmeric and flowers like tube rose, and jasmine. Details of Horticultural crop statistics are given in Table 13. List of major fruits are given in Table 14. List of major vegetables are provided in Table 15.

Horticulture Farms

There are two Horticulture Farms in the District, one at Anailkatty and the other at Kannampalayam.

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Table 12: Crop productivity in Coimbatore district

Crop Area (ha) Production in tones As per 1421 Fasali

Productivity Kg / ha as

per 1421 Fasali Paddy 2155 10486 4866 Cholam 22087 18714 847 Cumbu 60 210 3500 Ragi 24 50 2083 Maize 4600 33128 7202 Bengal Gram 1295 1004 775 Red Gram 211 269 1275 Black Gram 988 990 1002 Green Gram 1397 1165 834 Horse Gram 1617 781 483 Other Pulses 6058 2011 332 Arecanut 1791 3280 1832 Cardamom 835 63 75 Chillies 475 274 577 Pepper 127 27 213 Coriander 149 81 544 Turmeric 1367 27931 20432 Tamarind 494 3183 6443 Sugarcane 1404 192425 137055 Banana 8351 339894 40701 Mango 2421 14576 6021 Jack Fruit 19 72 3789 Guava 122 598 4902 Grapes 203 3423 16862 Orange 8 12 1500 Lemon 28 48 1714 Cashew Nut 92 28 304 Tapiaco 487 24556 50423 Sweet potato 5 0 0 Onion 907 10636 11727 Brinjal 320 3716 11612 Ladies Finger 316 4354 13778 Tomato 2215 29942 13518 Cotton 558 5552 9950 Ground Nut 5434 17890 3292 Gingelly 417 332 796 Coconut 83341 12508 150 Sun Flower 4 88 22000 Castor 32 11 344 Cabbage 10 182 18200 Tobacco 47 232 4936

(Source: Agriculture Contingency Plan – Coimbatore-2013)

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Table 13: Horticultural crops statistics

Name of the Crop Area (ha) Production (tones)

Productivity (Kg/ha)

Fruits 13421 420665 31.34

Vegetables 6565 111627 17.00

Plantation Crops 15191 138729 9.13

Spices & Condiments 5364 321314 59.90

Flowers 781 7152 9.16

Medicinal & Aromatic Crops

146 947 6.49

Total 41468 1000433 24.13

(Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu, 2013)

Major Fruits

Table 14: List of Major Fruits in Coimbatore District

Name of Fruit Area ( ‘000 ha)

Banana 9.8

Mango 2.5

Grapes 0.2

Sapota 0.2

Amla 0.4

Major Vegetables

Table 15: List of Major vegetables in Coimbatore District

Name of vegetable

Area (‘000 ha)

Onion 0.14 Brinjal 0.02 Drumstick 0.01 Bhendi 0.006 Bittergourd 0.006

Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for normal growth of plants. Water is an important determinant factor for production of crops in agriculture sector. Intensive and extensive cultivation of land depends mainly on the availability of water. Medium and minor irrigation schemes are implemented in the state for augmenting the water supply for agriculture. The various sources of irrigation are canals, tanks, tube wells and ordinary wells. The Table 16 shows the area irrigated in the district.

Table 16: Area irrigated in the district

Irrigation Area (‘000 ha)

Net irrigated area 175.4

Gross irrigated area 185.8

Rain fed area 137.5

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The yield of dug wells range from

50 to 300 lpm for draw down varying

from 0.5 to 3.5 m for a pumping period

of 2 to 4 hours. The yield of bore wells

is < 1 to 5 lps for pumping period of 6-

10 hours. Some areas in the district

have become victim to over –

exploitation of ground water resources.

Sources of irrigation in the district are

given in Table 17.

Table 17: Sources of irrigation in

Coimbatore district

Source of Irrigation Number

Area (‘000 ha)

Tanks 1694 53.1

Open wells 7591 2.9

Bore wells 310 2.9

Total 9595 58.9

Pump sets 7901 -

Forest and Wildlife

The entire western and northern part of the district borders the Western Ghats with the Nilgiri biosphere as well as the Anamalai and Munnar ranges. A western pass to Kerala, popularly referred to as the Palghat Gap provides

its boundary. Because of its close proximity to the Western Ghats, the district is rich in flora and fauna. It is home to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. It covers a total area of 95,859 ha. The Forest varies from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen, evergreen and montane wet temperate containing Teak, Rose wood and other tropical species. Animals, including Indian Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Dhole, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sambar, Four horned Antelope, Chital and a host of birds, notably the Pied Hornbill and several types of Eagles may be seen. A map showing the Forest Cover is presented in Figure 10 & 11.

Figure 10: Map showing Forest cover

of Coimbatore district

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Figure 11: Map showing Forest area of Coimbatore district

Important Wildlife Sanctuaries in Coimbatore District

1) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS&NP) (Figure 12) is a protected area located in the Anamalai Hills of Pollachi, Valparai and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore District and Tiruppur District. Elevation ranges between 340–2,513 metres (1,115–8,245 ft) to 2,513 metres (8,245 ft) above MSL. Mean annual rainfall is between 500 millimetres (20 in) in the south western fringes to 4,500 millimetres (180 in) on the north east. This Sanctuary is an important watershed for the agricultural economy and power supply in other parts of Tamil Nadu.

Major reservoirs like Parambikulam Reservoir, Aliyar Reservoir, Thirumurthi Reservoir, Upper Aliyar Reservoir, Kadambarai, Sholayar Dam and Amaravathi Dam are fed by the perennial rivers which originate from the Sanctuary.

i) Flora

The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna typical of the South Western Ghats. There are over 2000 species plants of which about 400 species are of prime medicinal value. The forests includes wet evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest, montane shola-grassland, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, thorn forests and marshes. Tropical wet evergreen forest is found at an altitude of 600m to 1,600m. Tropical montane forests occur

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at higher elevations and are interspersed with montane grasslands, forming the shola-grassland complex. Much of the original evergreen forest now contains introduced teak plantations. Bamboo stands and reeds occur in the natural forests.

Figure 12: Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Figure 13: Mesua ferrea

Figure 14: Alstonia scholaris

Tree cover is provided by Hopea parviflora, Mesua Ferrea (Figure 13), Calophyllum tomentosum, Vateria indica, Cullenia excelsa and Mangifera indica, Machilus macrantha, Alstonia scholaris (Figure 14), Evodia meliaefolia, Ailanthus and Bombax ceiba (Figure 15), and Eucalyptus grandis. The area is home to Podocarpus wallichianus (Figure 16) a rare South Indian species of conifer.

Figure 15: Bombax ceiba

ii) Fauna

The National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 20 different species of animals. Some of them are:, Dhole (Asiatic wild dog), Nilgiri tahr and Lion-tailed macaque, the vulnerable Brown Mongoose, Gaur, Malabar Spiny Dormouse, Nilgiri langur, Rusty-spotted cat (Figure 17), Sambar Deer, Sloth bear (Figure 18) and Smooth-coated Otter, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian Leopard and Indian Pangolin. Golden jackal, Leopard cat, Jungle cat, Spotted deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Common langur, Bonnet macaque, Asian Palm Civet (Figure 19), the Endangered Bengal tiger (Figure 20), Indian elephant (Figure 21), Small Indian

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Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Grey Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian Crested Porcupine, Indian Pangolin, Indian porcupine and Three-striped Palm Squirrel.

Over 250 species of birds have been identified in the park. Some of the most important groups include cormorants, ducks, teal, darter, partridge, quail, jungle fowl, spurfowl, Indian peafowl, parakeets, hornbills, barbets, drongos, orioles, shrikes, warblers, Old World flycatchers, woodpeckers, chloropsis, trogons, kingfishers, storks, egrets, fish eagle, hawk eagles, harriers, falcons, kites, owls and nightjars. It is also home to the near threatened Great Indian Hornbill. Reptiles include Toads, Spotted Leaping Frog and Leith's Leaping Frog, Black Torrent Frogs, tree frogs, Pythons, Cobras, Kraits, Vipers, Grass Snakes, Forest Cane Turtles, Travancore Tortoises, Flapshell Turtless, Star Tortoises, Flying lizards, Chameleons and Forest Lizards. 315 species of butterflies belonging to five families have been identified in the Anamalai Hills. 44 are endemic to the Western Ghats

Figure 16: Podocarpus wallichianus

Figure 17: Rusty-spotted cat

Figure 18: Sloth Bear

Figure 19: Asian Palm Cive

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2) Anamalai Tiger Reserve

The Steering Committee of Project Tiger granted approval in principle to inclusion of Indira Gandhi WLS and NP under Project Tiger in 2005. IGWS was declared a Project Tiger sanctuary in 2008.Continuance of Project Tiger’ in Anamalai Tiger Reserve for FY 2010/11, at the cost of Rs.235.47 Lakhs, was approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority on 31 August 2010. This tiger reserve, together with the several other contiguous protected forest and grassland habitats, is the core of the Parambikulum-Indira Gandhi tiger habitat landscape complex, with tiger occupancy area of about 3,253 km2 (1,256 sq mi) and an estimated metapopulation of 34 (32 to 36) tigers.

Figure 20: Bengal Tiger

Figure 21: Elephants

3) Other Reserve Forests found in the District

The Coimbatore forest division is broadly divided into:

• The Nilgiris Slopes Reserved Forests

• Plain Forests around Mettupalayam

• The Velliangadu Valley

• The Naickenpalayam Valley.

• The Thadagam Valley

• The Bolampatty Valley

• The Walayar Valley.

The list of reserve forests are given in the Table 18.

1.4 BIODIVERSITY

Fauna

Animals Found in Coimbatore District. In deciduous forests, wild elephants are seen to wander in small herds, in Walayar and Bolampatty Valleys, Anakatty R.F., Gopinari R.F., Hulical, Jaccanare slopes and Nilgiris Eastern Slope R.Fs. The Sholakkarai, Singapathy and Iruttupallam blocks are their favourite retreats during rainy season. Bamboos are their favourite food and occasionally they raid the agriculture fields in the adjoining lands. List of animals found in Coimbatore District are given in Table 19. Elephant Paths in this division are Mannarkad (Kerala State) – Kodunagaraipallam – Anakatty – Pillur – Nellithorai – Hulical – Kallar – Odanthorai – Bhavanisagar, Mudumalai – Moyar – Bhavanisagar – Odanthorai –Kunjapanai and Walayar – Mangalapalayam – Sigarapathy – Thanikandy.

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Table 18: Reserved forest in Coimbatore division

Name of the reserved forest

Area (in Ha.)

Small Sholakkarai 32.78

Bolampatti Block I 58.3

Bolampatti Block II 10651.22

Bolampatti Block III 3202.88

Thadagam RF 4878.20

Anakatti North 752.34

Anakatti south 1822.3

Anakatti south extension 469.45

Pillur slope RF addition 1517.22

Gopinari RF 9843.44

Melur slope RF 1521.00

Nellithurai Sundapatti 4329.59

Kallar Rf 289.11

Kallar addl. I & II 104.85

Hulical Durg 1070.01

Aduthorai additional I 12.57

Aduthorai additional II 23.54

Kallar Additional RF 159.43

Aduthorai RF 315.50

Sanalwood RF I 5.75

Sandalwood RF II 15.64

Constantia RF 14.16

Jaccanari Slo RF 2599.44

Nellaimalai RF 531.00

Nilgris Eastern Slope RF 5707.00

Odanthorai RF 2351.68

Modur pethikuttai 2083.22

Kandiyur RF 2123.87

Thadagam Block IV 7057.20

Elephant Corridors of Coimbatore Forest Division

Jaccanari - Vedar Colony Corridor

This corridor has contiguity up to the Pillur reserve forests and Attapadi Valley of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

The corridor is very narrow between the Forest College and Vedar Colony with severe anthropogenic activities causing rapid degradation. The terrain is gently undulating except at Sirumugai Mudakku, Periya Kandi Mokkai and other hills in low lying areas.

The length of the corridor is about 12 km and width ranges from 0.2 to 1.5 km. Dry deciduous forests in hill slopes and open thorn forest in lowland areas dominate in this corridor.

Kallar - Jaccanari Corridor

A long strip of corridor beginning at Kothagiri road goes up to Kallar reserve forests along the foot hills of Jaccanari Mountain bisecting the Mettupalayam-Coonoor highway. The length of the corridor is 7 km and width ranges from 0.2 to 1.5 km. The elephants' strong fidelity to this corridor during their seasonal migration shows importance for its conservation. Dry deciduous forests in hill slopes and mixed secondary growth woody forest in lowland areas dominate this corridor. The Kallar-Nellithurai corridor is the only transit route for elephants to move between Pillur RF and Attapady Valley from Eastern Ghats. Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia spp, Pterocarpus marsupium, Sapindus emarginatus and Tectona grandis are more confined to hill slopes. The lowland forests are

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dominated by thorny species such as Toddalia asiatica, Limonia alata, Atalantica monophylla and exotic weeds such as Prosopis juliflora are widely distributed. The length of the corridor is 10.8 km and width ranges from 0.25 to 3 km. Elephants strong preference to this corridor during their seasonal migration shows its importance.

Anakatti - Veerapandi Corridor

This corridor begins at Mukkali (within the state of Tamil Nadu), Anakatti linking Periyanaickan Palayam Range in the eastern portion and Bolampatti Range in the South. The length of the corridor is 21 km and effective width ranges from 0.1 to 1.5 km. The terrain consists of undulating plains and hillocks. Kodungarai pallam is a perennial stream provide major water source to elephants in this region. The tree cover is dominated by Albizzia amara with signs of over browsing by elephants.

Maruthamalai -Thanikandi Corridor

This corridor begins at Thanikandi and with Attapadi Valley of Kerala State. The length of the corridor is 13 km and effective width ranges from 0.4 to 1.5 km. The terrain comprises of undulating plains and steep slopes/hillocks (Figure 22). Major perennial water sources are Vaidhegi Falls, Papanasam, Attukal and Paraikinaru. Anamadu is a seasonal water source located near Attukkal. Tropical thorn forest in the plains, bamboo patches and mixed dry deciduous vegetations are commonly found in this corridor tract in the sloppy areas.

Figure 22: Maruthamalai

Kalkothi - Walyar Corridor

This corridor begins from Kalkothi (Bolampatti Range) and ends with Chinnampathy of Mannarkad Forest Division through Perumalkoilpathy, Mangalapalayam, Walayar (Coimbatore Range).

The length of the corridor is 21 kms. The effective width ranges from 0.2 to 0.9 km. The terrain is sloppy in most of the areas.

(Source: Department of Forest, Coimbatore Division -2013)

Amphibian fauna

Coimbatore is a land which enjoys wide variety of landscape, forest types, altitude and climate. The Amphibian fauna of Coimbatore forest is rich and varied. This division has the Amphibian fauna includes frogs, toads and caecilian. These animals are having wide ranges of distribution and habitats. They are seen on land, in water, on trees, undertones and underground. There are several new species of Amphibia are reported from the Western Ghats. Most of the endemic species have their distribution in these mountains. The endangered purple frog was discovered in 2003. Four new

19

species of frogs belonging to the genera Rhacophorus, Polypedates, Philautus and Bufo were also found (Figure 23 & 24). The Coimbatore forestdivision provides a good shelter for the Amphibian fauna also. Amphibian are playing vital role in the ecosystem. They are also useful to eradicate the insect pests which are menace to the paddy and other crops.

Figure 23: Purple Frog

Figure 24: Polypedates

The snakes, lizards and other reptiles are having the dietary includes rats, mice, destructive insects or insect pest of agriculture. The Coimbatore forest division has diverse climatic and vegetation types which is ideal habitats for the reptiles. There are various

reptiles found in this division. List of reptiles found in this region are given in Table 20. The King Cobra often associated with moist areas in the hilly tracts of the forest.

In Coimbatore forest division, the Bolampatti forest range has moist deciduous forest which is the home for the King Cobra. Statuses of wild animals in Coimbatore district are given in Table 21. Images of the Giant flying squirrel and the blackened napped hare are shown in Figure 25 &26.

Figure 25: Giant Flying Squirrel

Figure 26: Blacked Napped Hare

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Table 19: Animals Found in Coimbatore District and Region of Sighting

Name of Animal Scientific Name Location of Sighting

Panther Panthera pardus Panthers are sighted in Jaccanare slope R.F and Bolampatty reserves

Gaur Bos gaurus Occasionally sighted in Jaccanare slope R.F

Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus Occasionally seen most of the areas.

Sambar Deer Cervus unicolor Sambar deer is found in the higher slopes of Bolampatty Block I and II reserves.

Spotted Deer Axis axis

Seen frequently in the lower slopes of Jaccanare, Odanthorai R.Fs and Sholakkarai areas.

Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak -

Mouse Deer Tragulus meminna -

Wild Boar Sus scrofa -

Nilgiri Tahr or Ibex Hemitragus hylocrius Occasionally seen in the grass lands around Kunjiramudy and Perumalmudy

Bonnet Mecaque Mecaca radiata -

Common Langur Presbytis entellus -

Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica -

Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis -

Malabar Giant Squirrel

Ratufa indica -

Wild dog or Dhole Cuon alpines -

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Table 20: Reptiles of Coimbatore Forest Division (2013)

Local Name Scientific Name

Indian Pond Turtle Melanochelys trijuga

Indian soft shell turtle Lissemys punctata punctuate

Common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

Brook’s gecko Hemidactylus brooki

Bark gecko Hemidactylus leschenalti

Tamarind tree gecko Hemidactylus triedrus

Kollegal gecko Cyrtodactylus collegalensis

Garden lizard Calotes versicolor

Green calotes Calotes calotes

Green calotes Calotes grandisquamis

Rock lizard Psammophilus dorsalis

Chameleon Chameleo zeylanicus

Flying lizard Draco dussumieri

Common skink Mabuya carinata

Red skink Riopa punctate

Monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis

Indian python Python molurus

Common sand boa Gonglyphis conicus

Red sand boa Eryx johni

Rat snake Ptyas mucosa

Trinket snake Celognathus Helena

Green whip snake Ahaetulla nasutus

Bronze back tree snake Dendrelaphis tristis

Checkered keel back Xenochropis piscator

Olive keel back Atreium shcistosum

Green keel back Macropisthodon plumbicolor

Buff striped keel back Amphisema stolata

Flying snake Chrysopelea ornate

Common cobra Naja naja

Common krait Bungarus caeruleus

King cobra Ophiophagus Hannah

Russels viper Dabioa russelli

Saw scaled viper Echis carinatus

Hump nosed pit viper Hypnale hypnale

Malabar pit viper Trimeresurus malabaricus

Green pit viper Trimeresurus gramineus

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Table 21: Status of wild animals in Coimbatore Forest Division (2013)

Species name No. of animals

sighted

Density/

sq.km Population

Elephant 152 0.524 364

Indian gaur 25 0.086 60

Sambar 30 0.103 72

Spotted deer 191 0.659 457

Barking deer 7 0.024 17

Nilgiri Tahr 27 0.093 -

Lion tailed maccaque

1 0.003 2

Nilgiri langur 26 0.090 62

Common langur 39 0.134 93

Bonnet maccaque 145 0.500 347

Wild boar 67 0.231 160

Black napped hare 8 0.028 19

Giant squirrel 29 0.100 69

Flying squirrel 2 0.007 5

Leopard 1 0.003 -

Sloth bear 1 0.003 -

Wild dog 4 0.021 -

Jackal 2 0.007 -

Civet 1 0.003 -

Mangoose 7 0.024 -

Monitor lizard 1 0.003 -

Ant eater 2 0.007 -

Python 1 0.003 -

Cobra 1 0.003 -

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Floral Species

The varied climatic conditions, of Coimbatore District attributed to the latitude, altitude, topography, the soil and the biotic factors determine the composition of the forests from Southern Thorn Forests to tropical evergreen species. List of important trees species in Coimbatore district are given in Table 22.

Endemic plants

There are various endemic and endangered plant species found in the Western Ghats. Biologically important Orchids are available plenty in Coimbatore Division. There are 68 species of orchids belongs to 18 genera found in this division. One among the orchids the Proteroceros holttumii is strictly endemic to Velliangiri hills of Coimbatore Division. This orchid is found nowhere else in the world. Figure 27 shows Bulbophyllum acutiflorum.

Important Orchids Found In Coimbatore Division

1. Anoectochilus elatus

2. Bulbophyllum acutiflorum

3. Bulbophyllum neilgherrense

4. Coelogyne nervosa

5. Eria polystachya

6. Habenaria elliptica

7. Habenaria perrottetiana

8. Habenaria polyodon

9. Oberonia wightiana

10. Protoceros holttumii

11. Robiquetia josephiana

12. Trias stocksii

Figure 27: Bulbophyllum acutiflorum

Table 22: List Of Important Trees Species In Coimbatore District

Western Ghats Endemic

1. Artocarpus hirsutus Ayinipala

Threatened

2. Cycas circinalis Kodicham

3. Santalum album Santhanam

4. Rhododendran arbouratum Poo

Important Species

5. Pterocarpus marsupium Vengai

6. Boswella serrata Kungilliam

7. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Lavangam

8. Dalbergia latifolia Itti

9. Tectona grandis Thekku

10. Garcinia cambogia Kodampuli

11. Schleichera oleosa Poovathi

12. Chloroxylon swietenia Porasu

13. Canarium striatum Karukungilium

14. Cullenia rosayraona Vedipila

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1.5 WATER RESOURCES

Coimbatore is located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats and hence receives rainfall from the different monsoons.

Rainfall

Coimbatore has a very pleasant climate all the year round, aided by fresh breeze that flows through the 25 km long Palakkad gap. Details of seasonal Rainfall in Coimbatore district are given in Table 23.

Table 23: Rainfall of Coimbatore (2011-2012)

Seasons Actual (mm)

Normal (mm)

South West Monsoon (Jun’11 to Sep’11)

252.9 189.8

North East Monsoon (Oct’11 to Dec’11)

410.7 328.9

Winter Season (Jan ’12 to Feb’12)

2.6 20.3

Hot Weather Season(Mar’12 to May ‘12)

116.0 150.3

Annual Total (Jun’11 to May’12)

782.2 689.3


Rainfall in the district is maximum during the North-east monsoon and minimum during the winter season.

Ground Water Resources

Ground water is one of the main sources of water in the district. Details of Annual Ground water quantity and the projected demand are given in Table 24.

Table 24: Ground water resources in Coimbatore district

Dynamic ground water sources (as on 31.03.2004) in mcm

Annual Replenishable Ground Water Resources

792.87

Total Annul Ground Water Draft for all purposes

821.00

Projected demand for Domestic and Industrial

Uses up to 2025

42.20

(Source: Statistical handbook ofTamil Nadu, 2013)

Ground Water is found beneath the earth’s surface and is an important source of water in most of the districts in the state. Ground Water is withdrawn for agriculture, municipal and industrial use. The depth at which the ground water is found is called ground water table.

The district is classified into different blocks based on the ground water abstraction rate (Table 25).

Most of the blocks in Coimbatore district come under Over-Exploited zone. Pollachi South has been listed as a Notified area as per the Central Ground Water Authority due to high rate

25

of water extraction with withdrawal being more than its replenish able limits resulting in decline in ground water levels and drying up of wells.

Table 25: Ground water blocks of Coimbatore District (12 Blocks)

Over-Exploited (Greater than

100%)

Semi – Critical

(70-90%)

Safe (Less than 70%)

Annur Kinathu-kadavu

Ana-malai

Madukarai Pollachi North

Kara-madai

Pollachi South Sultanpet -

P.N. Palayam Sulur -

Sarkarsamakulam - -

Thondamuthur - -

(Source: State ground and surfacewater resources data centre)

Surface Water Resources

Water Bodies in Coimbatore

Coimbatore is gifted with a unique spread of a number of water bodies that store rain water, recharge groundwater and provide shelter for a vast array of biodiversity. The main rivers of Coimbatore District are the Noyyal, Bhavini , Amravathi , Aliyar and Palar . Coimbatore is mainly developed in the watershed expanse of the Noyyal river basin and consists of a network of lakes and canals. Currently, in the Noyyal river basin there are 24 lakes in Coimbatore. The different lakes in Coimbatore district are show in Table 26.The original area of all the lakes has shrunk over the years because of buildings or slums encroaching these. Construction activities around the lake in the form of bunding, encroachments around the lakes, receding water levels

have led to shrinkage in lake area. Details of Lake Hydraulic particulars are given in Table 27.

Table 26: Lakes in Coimbatore District

Name of Lake

Ukkulam Lake

Pudukulam (Vedapatti Lake)

Kolarampathy Lake

Narasampathy

Krishnampathy

Selvampathy

Kumaraswamy (also known as Muthannakulam)

Selvachinthamani

Sottaiyandi Kuttai Lake

Ganganarayananasamudharam

Puttuvikki Lake (aka Perur Lake or Sundakkamuttur Lake)

Senkulam (aka Kuniyamuthur Lake)

Kuniyamuthur small Lake

Periyakulam (also known as Ukkadam Big Lake)

Valankulam

Kurichi Lake

Vellalore Lake

Singanallur Lake

Pallapalayam Lake (aka Odderpalayam Lake)

Kannampalayam Lake

Irugur Lake

Achankulam (aka Neelambur Lake)

Sulur Big Lake

Sulur Small Lake

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River Basins

The main rivers of Coimbatore District are the Noyyal, Bhavani, Amravathi, Aliyar and Palar. The main River basins are the Cauvery River Basin and Parambikulam Aliyar Basin.

Important Surface Water Basins

The district is part of the composite east and west flowing river basins and Cauvery basins. Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravathi, Parambikulam- Aliyar and Valparai are the important sub basins.

Drainage

The Bhavani River which has its origin in the silent valley ranges in Kerala state and enters in to Coimbatore district about 25 km west of Mettupalayam and flows in a northeast direction. The river drains an area of 1056 Sq.km within this district.

The Noyyal River has its origin in the Boluvampatty valley of the Vellingiri hills and comes to be called the Swami Mudiyar. Further south it is joined by the Periyar and Chinnar. The Amaravathi River rises in the Anjanad valley in the Kerala state between the Anamalai hills and the plains and flows in the northeastern direction. Amaravathi dam is located on this river.

The Palar, Aliyar and Upar which are the main steams of the river Ponnani are originating from the Anamalai hills and flows in a north-northwest direction on the southern part of the district, the Aliyar and Thirumoorthy dams are located on Aliyar and Palar respectively.

The Parambikulam and Sholaiyar streams, which are tributaries to the Periyar River has a southwesterly direction on the southwestern part of the district. Five surface reservoirs are located on this river, which form part of the Parambikulam Aliyar project. The important river basin of this region is the Parambikulam-Aliyar Basin (Figure 28).

The catchment areas of small rivers located in the Anamalai hills receive the bulk of their supply during the southwest monsoon and meagre flows during the northeast monsoon. Most of the reservoirs are located in the hilly region of the Western Ghats. The catchment area has a mixed land use pattern. In some, the catchment area is essentially reserve forest with good tree cover. But in the rest there are tea and other plantations. The Lower Nirar reservoir had a catchment area with cincoan plantations which have been converted into tea plantations with extensive removal of tree cover.

The Bhavani River which has its origin in the silent valley ranges in Kerala state and enters in to Coimbatore district about 25 km west of Mettupalayam and flows in a northeast direction. The river drains an area of 1056 Sq.km with in this district. The Noyyal River has its origin in the Boluvampatty valley of the Vellingiri hills and comes to be called the Swami Mudiyar. Further south it is joined by the Periyar and Chinnar. The Amaravathi River rises in the Anjanad valley in the Kerala state between the Anamalai hills and the plains and flows in the northeastern direction. Amaravathi dam is located on this river.

27

Table 27: Lake Hydraulic Particulars

Lakes

Lake bed area Storage Capacity

Based on irrigation memoir (acres)

Present (acres)

Based on irrigation memoir (Mcft)

Present (Mcft)

Narasampathy 123 48 5.98 4.45

Krishnampathy 178 54 7.67 8.48

Selvampathy 71 40 9.55 4

Kumarasamy/ Muthanankulam 94 63 20 6

Selvachinthamani 37 26 3.02 3

Coimbatore Big lake/ Ukkadam 320 337 70 97

Valankulam 160 96 27.88 16.7

Singanallur 288 165 52.27 30

Figure 28: Parambikulam –Aliyar Basin

(Source: Institute for Water Studies-Tamil Nadu)

28

Noyyal River Basin

The Noyyal River (Figure 29, 30) rises from the vellingiri hills in the Western Ghats in Tamil nadu, south eastern India and drains into the Kaveri River. The river's basin is 180 km long and 25 km wide and covers a total area of 3,500 km2. Cultivated land in the basin amounts to 1,800 km2. The area is known for its scanty rainfall and the development of the noyyal river tanks system to hold any overflow from the rains plus the water of the northeast and southwest monsoon season was ecologically important. The 173 km (107 mi) long tributary of the Kaveri River filled 32 tanks. These interconnecting tanks held the water flowing from the Noyyal.

The township of Coimbatore once was surrounded by the Noyyal river and its canals, tanks, and rivulets. Surplus water from the Noyyal river spilled into the canals and were channeled to the

tanks (Figure 31), preventing unwanted flooding. The tanks were a major factor in replenishing the ground water through percolation of the subsoil water.

Figure 29: Noyyal River Basin



29

Rural Water Supply

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board is the Government agency responsible for providing drinking water supplies to the urban and rural populace in the district. The water requirements of the habitations are met with either through surface water sources or through various Mini Water Supply Schemes or Integrated water supply schemes utilizing the available ground water resources. Details of number of rural habitations covered under the water supply schemes are given in Table 28.

Table 28: No. of Rural Habitations

Total No. of Rural Habitations:

2151

Partially Covered 936 (10-39

lpcd)

Fully Covered 1215 (40 lpcd

and above)

Urban Water Supply

Most of the town panchayats are covered in the urban water supply schemes (Table 29). The Corporation of Coimbatore receives around 214 lpcd, while some town panchayats receive as low as 63-70 lpcd.

Inland Fisheries Resources

The Total Inland Fresh Water spread Area is 2060 Hectare. Details of fish production are given in Table 30. Inland fish production is done in most of the inland water bodies. Pilloor Dam, Sholayar and Aliyar Nagar are the main

sources of inland fish production (Figure 32 and 33).

Ground Water Pollution In Coimbatore District

The contaminated sources of ground water are found to be 449 out of 2476 samples as per National Rural Drinking Water Programme. Although contaminated sources are present in the district, the overall level of ground water pollution in the district is less (Table 31).

Figure 32: Inland Fisheries

Figure 33: Pilloor Dam

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Table 29: Status of Urban Water Supply

S.no. Name of towns Population Present water supply

level LPCD

Corporations

1. Coimbatore 1050721 214

Municipalities

2. Mettupalayam 69213 96

3. Pollachi 90180 138

4. Valparai 70859 121

Town Panchayats

5. Gudalur 38859 141

6. Narasimhanaicken palayam

17858 92

7. Sarkarsamakulam 10289 148

8. Edikarai 8686 101

9. Veerapandi 16953 130

10. Karumathampatti 35062 62

11. Karamadai 35166 82

12. Anamalai 17208 72

13. Dhaliyur 11500 92

14. Periyanaickenpalayam 25930 162

15. Annur 20079 147

16. Pallapalayam 11910 102

17. Erugur 25691 115

18. Vellalur 24872 113 19. Kannampalayam 15868 87

20. Madukarai 30357 75

21. Othakalmandapam 12207 73

22. Sulur 27909 82

23. Thirumalaiyanpalayam 12164 109

24. Ettimalai 9352 75

25. Sirumugai 18223 99

26. Jamin Uthukuli 14859 79

27. Udayarkulam 11999 65

28. Vettaikaranpudur 17392 205

29. Kottur 26627 132

30. Perur 8004 87 31. Chettipalayam 10366 70

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Table 30: Inland Fish Production Coimbatore District

Place Quantity

(Ton)

Value (Rs. In lakhs)

Pallor Dam, Mettupalayam Taluk (2011-2012)

1.252 0.33

Sholayar ,Valparai Taluk(2011-2012)

5.965 1.29

Aliyar Nagar, Pollachi Taluk

57.585 -

(Source: Fisheries Department, Govt of TN)

Water bodies such as Noyyal River and the Kurichi tank are located on the upstream side of the SIDCO Industrial Cluster. The Coimbatore City lies within the watershed expanse of the Noyyal River Basin and consists of a network of tanks and canals. About 18 tanks in the city act as storage and percolation tanks and are major sources of ground water. Canals that act as natural drainage courses, serves as storm water drains for the city. Analysis of nine water bodies indicates that most of the water bodies are contaminated. The discharge of industrial and domestic effluents, encroachments of tank and canal beds, exploitation of ground water are some of the important factors causing damage to these water bodies.

A key factor responsible for polluting the water bodies is the discharge of untreated effluents from

small-scale industrial units lacking in adequate individual treatment facilities.

Pollution of Lakes

A high population and expanding industries have led to the generation of high amounts of domestic and industrial wastes that ultimately finds its way into the lakes. Over the years, dumping of municipal waste and construction debris in the lakes has shot up. Discarded plastic carry bags and other items choke waterways floating unfettered on the open surfaces of lakes. During summer, these lakes get dried up paving for more and more garbage, municipal waste and industrial wastes to be dumped.

Degradation of wetland in the Noyyal river basin

Coimbatore district has been ranked lowest in terms of number of wetlands in Tamil Nadu. Most of the wetlands in Coimbatore are under severe anthropogenic pressure and threat. The wetlands in the Noyyal river basin are at severe threat. The major activities for the degradation of wet lands include Urbanization, pollution and aqua culture.

Table 31: Ground water Contamination details in Coimbatore

Source of Ground Water Contamination

No. of Sources Tested

No. of Sources Contaminated

Percentage (%)

Contaminated Sources 2476 449 18.13 Fluoride Contamination 2476 3 0.12 Nitrate Contamination 2476 174 7.03 Iron Contamination 2476 1 0.04 Fecal Coliform 2476 0 0

(Source: TNPCB-2013)

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1.6 TOURISM AND ARCHEOLOGY

Tourist Attractions Parks

TNAU Botanical Gardens - The botanical garden is spread over 300 hectares and has many varieties of plants, flowers and trees. It is a popular tourist spot (Figure 34 & 35).

Museums

Gass Forest Museum - It houses rare species of butterflies; birds; animals embalmed. Cultivation methods; model houses; armor of soldiers; hunting equipments etc.

Figure 34: Botanical Garden

Figure 35: Botanical Garden

G.D. Naidu Museum

It has an excellent collection of various scientific devices and gadgets.

Ancient Industrial Artifacts Museum Artefacts from the Old and New Stone Age are displayed. The museum also houses antiquities excavated from Boluvampatti (copper bangles, stone beads), Vellalur and Perur (coins, jewellery & shell bangles). Another rare artefact is the stone slab inscription from Udumalpet that lists the rules and regulations to be followed as per the king's order.

Regional Science Center

It is a Science Park spread over 6.71 acres. 5,000 sq.ft. textile gallery showcasing the textile industry's evolution, a 5,000 sqft Fun Science Gallery on 5,000 sqft, A 3D theatre for children, a giant globe and a portable mini planetarium.

List of Temples

• Marudamalai Murugan temple (Figure 36)

• Perur Patteeswarar Temple (Figure 37)

• Konniamman temple

• Thandu Mariamman temple

• Vazhai ThottathuAyyan temple

• Echanaari Ganesh temple

• Puliakulammunthivinayakar temple

• Karamadai temple,

• Panchamuga Anjaneya Temple (Hanuman with 5 Faces)

• Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple.

The Adi Moolasthanam is in the shape of a lingam where Lord Muruga is seen with Valli and Deivanai.

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Figure 36: Marudamalai Murugan temple of 12th century

Figure 37: Perur Patteeshwarar Temple

Churches

CSI Immanuel Church - is one of the oldest churches in Coimbatore. It was established in the year 1830 and is over 180 years old. Christian missions date back to 1647.

Other Tourist places

Aliyar Dam

Aliyar Dam is located in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. Monkey Falls and The Temple of

Consciousness are the tourist attractions.

Monkey Falls

Monkey Falls are natural waterfalls located near the uphill ghat road Valparai on the Pollachi-Valparai road in the Anamalai Hills range, in Coimbatore district.

Kovaikutralum

KovaiKutralam is a scenic spot with a waterfall originating on the Siruvani hill ranges. It is located on the western

34

ghat mountain range that lies to the west of this city at a distance of about 35 kms from Coimbatore.

Siruvani Dam

Siruvani Waterfalls and the dam are located west of Coimbatore City in the Western Ghats. The Government of Tamil Nadu in collaboration with ITDC initiated tourism promotion through infrastructure development including resort hotels and amusement parks to attract tourists.

Pilloor Dam

The Dam is situated at an altitude of about 1,000 metres on the Karamadai-Pilloor dam. Baralikkadu Eco-tourism was formed to utilize the skill of the tribal in driving the coracles. The novel idea of forming Eco Tourism in Karamadai Range was formed.

Archeologically important places

A list of the archeologically important places identified by the Archeological Survey of India is given in Table 32.

Table 32: List of Archeologically important places

Name of Place Locality

Mandapakkadu Chettipalayam

Pandava Graves Kanyampundi

Muruganathasvami Temple Tirumuruganpoondi

(Source: Coimbatore District Administration – Tourism)

1.7 INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION

Industrialization and urbanization are both interlinked to each other, with

the onset on industries the urban population around those areas soon increases. Coimbatore is one of the most industrially developed districts of Tamil Nadu. It has got a high concentration of small, medium and large scale industries. Coimbatore District is also called the “Manchester of South India”, due to its well-developed textile industry.

The successful growth of cotton served as a foundation for the establishment of its textile industrial base. There are more than 25,000 small, medium, large sale industries and textile mills. Coimbatore is also famous for the manufacture of pump sets and engineering goods.

Some of the major industries that are predicted to grow in Coimbatore district are:

1. Textile and Garments 2. Software products 3. Electronic products 4. Wet Grinders 5. Jewellery 6. Motor and Pumps 7. Wind Mill – Power Generation

Urbanization

Urbanization takes place by the principal following factors:-

(1) Natural growth of population in urban cities and towns and the resulting expansion of urban areas along their peripheries.

(2) Migration of population from villages to nearby towns or cities in search of better fortunes or living or employment due to changed social and economic conditions in the villages.

35

(3) Localization of industries in some region would grow up into an urban town in due course.

(4) Due to increase in population, even rural areas will be classified as “urban town” and the civic body will be elevated to the position of ‘Municipality’ from ordinary ‘Panchayat’. This increased status and population would help in the village becoming ‘a developed village’ first and then ‘semi-town’ and finally a full-fledged town. Later on it becomes a ‘city’ with ‘corporation’ status. ‘Urban’ and ‘rural’ classification depends on classification made by the government on the basis of its number of people. The above stated causes may act either singly or concurrently leading to many urban agglomerations.

Table 33: Urban Area of Coimbatore

Year Area in Sq.Km

Growth in Per cent

1973 38.28 - 1989 79.05 105.6 2004 135.75 71.5 2010 274.34 102.3

Figure 38: Corporation area of the Coimbatore District

From the Table 33 & Figure 38 we can see that there is a significant increase in the urban areas of the district. This is primarily due to the growth of industries and expansion of the city. The City limits have also expanded, covering a larger area.

Category of Industries in Coimbatore

As per Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Classification the list of Red, Orange and Green industries are given in Table 34. Some of the main red category industries are given in Table 35.

Table 34: Number of Red, Orange, Green Industries

Location Large Medium

Total Red Orange Green Red Orange Green

Coimbatore North

66 92 11 29 43 4 1464

Coimbatore South

95 114 17 25 44 9 1875

Small

Coimbatore North

791 319 109

Coimbatore South

728 537 306

(Source: TNPCB-2013)

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Table 35: List of Industries in Red category

S.No Category of the Industry

1. Asbestos and asbestos based industry

2. Ceramics/refractory

3. Foundries

4. Industry or processing involving electroplating operations

5. Industry or process involving metal treatment or process such as pickling, paint, stripping, heat treatment, phosphating or finishing

6. Lead re-processing and manufacturing including lead smelting

7. Paints and varnishes

8. Synthetic rubber excluding moulding

(Source: TNPCB)

In Coimbatore district some of the major industries that contribute to the engineering industry are Textile Machinery, Electronic Equipment and Automotive Ancillaries (Figure 39).

Figure 39: Share of Major Segments in Engineering Industry

With the increase in demand for textile products there has been an increase in textile industries.

This has led to the demand for engineering machinery and has resulted in the establishment of many foundry units.

Industrial Areas

The main industrial clusters in Coimbatore are shown in Table 36. The major industrial areas in Coimbatore district are SIDCO Industrial Estate, Kurchi and SIDCO Industrial Estate, Malumichampatti.

Pollution Hotspots

Coimbatore’s Kurchi Industrial Cluster is listed as one of CPCB Critically Polluted Areas. As per the CPCB pollution index score it rates 72.39 CEPI, which is considered as a high pollution index. Subsequently the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has prepared an Action Plan for this Industrial Cluster.

Air Pollution

Air pollution in Coimbatore District

Air Pollution is continuously monitored by National Ambient Air Quality Programme (Table 37, 38 & 39) (Figure 40, 41 & 42)

37

Table 36: Location of Industrial Clusters

Name of Industrial Area Total Land Total No.

of Plots

No. of Plots

allotted

No. of Units in Production

SIDCO Industrial Estate, Kurchi 35.81 238 237 237

SIDCO Industrial Estate,

Malumichampatti 14.63 128 128 115

Total 50.44 366 365 352

Table 37: Air Quality Monitoring in Coimbatore, location GD,Matric School

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Coimbatore between 2003 to 2012

a. Location: Collectorate Office Building/GD Matric School, Coimbatore, Category -Mixed Area

Year

Annual Average Concentration of Air pollutants, µg/m3

TSPM RSPM NOx SO2

2003-2004 108 43 51 10

2004-2005 134 53 39 7

2005-2006 90 39 43 8

2006-2007 88 44 32 10

2008-2009 107 59 30 5

2009-2010 121 60 23 5

2010-2011 157 60 24 6

2011-2012 NA 68 30 5

Prescribed Standard

Industrial 360 120 80 80

Residential, Rural & Other Areas (Mixed) 140 60 60 60

NAAQS-2009 NA 60 40 50

38

Figure 40: Concentration of air pollutants in Coimbatore – Location G.D matric

School Note: (Source : TNPCB – 2013) TSPM -Total Suspended Particulate Matter RSPM - Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (<10µSize) NO

x- Oxides of Nitrogen

SO2-Sulphurdioxide

Table 38: Air Quality Monitoring in Coimbatore, location: Ponniyarajapuram, Coimbatore

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results of Coimbatore between 2003 to 2012

b. Location: Ponniyarajapuram, Coimbatore

Category -Residential Area

Year Annual Average Concentation of Air pollutants, µg/m3

TSPM RSPM NOx SO2

2003-2004 111 46 46 10 2004-2005 113 51 41 7 2005-2006 86 44 38 7 2006-2007 87 44 32 9 2008-2009 90 50 31 5 2009-2010 98 51 23 5 2010-2011 111 56 21 5 2011-2012 NA 68 29 5

Prescribed Standard



NAAQS-2009 NA 60 40 50

39

Figure 41: Concentration of air pollutants in Coimbatore – Location Residential Area

Note:

TSPM -Total Suspended Particulate Matter

RSPM - Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (<10µSize)

NOx- Oxides of Nitrogen SO2-Sulphurdioxide (Source: TNPCB – 2013)

Table 39 Air Quality Monitoring in Coimbatore, location: Ponniyarajapuram,

c. Location: SIDCO, COIMBATORE

Category -Industrial Area

Year Annual Average Concentation of Air pollutants, µg/m3

TSPM RSPM NOx SO2

2003-2004 151 62 56 13

2004-2005 192 84 48 9

2005-2006 161 73 47 10

2006-2007 230 102 40 11

2008-2009 221 116 37 6

2009-2010 231 100 27 7

2010-2011 273 102 34 6

2011-2012 NA 205 35 5

Prescribed Standard



NAAQS-2009 NA 60 40 50

40

Figure 42 : Concentration of air pollutants in Coimbatore – Location Industrial Area

Source TNPCB- 2013 Note:

TSPM -Total Suspended Particulate Matter

RSPM - Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (<10µSize)

NOx- Oxides of Nitrogen SO2-Sulphurdioxide From the above we can see that the values of SPM are found to be high in the district. The values for SO2 and NOx are found to be within the limits. The main source of these pollutants is Vehicular Emissions and particulate pollutants from industries. The presences of a number of foundry units are also responsible for the pollutants. The increase in the number of vehicles over the decade (Table 40) has lead to high levels of air pollutants in the urban areas of Coimbatore City.

Sewage Treatment

Coimbatore City

The total sewage collected in Coimbatore City per day on average as on date is 132.84 MLD. Based on the

increase in population, the projected value of sewage to be collected in the year 2025 is 165.63 MLD. STPs, located at Ukkadam (70 MLD) and Nanjundapuram (40 MLD) have been erected and commissioned. STP at Ondipudur (60 MLD) is Under Progress. The unit at Ukkadam has been set up on a land of area 15 Acres, catering to Zones I, II, V and VI. The total sewage generated and collected in this zone is about 70 MLD. The system designed and established in this unit is a Cyclic Activated Sludge Process.

The unit at Nanjundapuram caters to Zones III & VII, wherefrom the quantity of sewage generated is about 40 MLD. The capacity of the unit is 40 MLD and similar to the first unit, this unit

41

has the Cyclic Activated Sludge Process.

The combined capacity of the sewage treatment plants designed for the city is 170 MLD. The projected sewage is estimated in the year 2025 is 165.63 MLD (Table 41). The projected

sewage is estimated in the year 2040 is around 205 MLD.

Solid Waste Management

The total municipal solid waste generation in the district is around 1101 TPD (Table 42).

Table 40: Status of Number of Vehicles in Coimbatore District

Name of the

District

Stage

Carriages Mini

Bus

Auto

Rick-

Saw

Taxi

Motor

Cabs Maxi cabs

Omni

Buses

Public Private Sp Aip Sp Aip Sp Aip

Coimbatore 2003 1255 580 215 8407 41 2872 314 1672 84 15 8

Coimbatore 2013

1203 448 161 10782 69 11629 155 3746 9 43 41

(Source: Department of Traffic – Govt. Of Tamil Nadu-2013)

Table 41: Projected Sewage Generations in Coimbatore District

Zone

Ukkadam

Zone

Nanjundapuram

Projected sewage generation (MLD)


2010 2025 2040 2010 2025 2040

i 22.29 23.81 25.33 iii 22.29 33.68 38.08

ii 15.07 20.03 22.66 vii 4.58 6.1 7.12

v 14.86 19.11 25.47

vi 5.87 6.67 8.01

Total 58.09 69.62 81.47 Total 33.87 39.78 45.2

Zone

Ondipudur


2010 2025 2040

iv 36.7 50.47 71.11

viii 4.18 5.77 7.21

Total 40.88 56.24 78.32 (Source: TWAD – 2013)

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Table 42: Municipal Solid Waste Generation (MT/day) in the State of Tamil Nadu

Compliance status of MSW (M&H) Rules – District wise

Sl. No. District

MSW Generated (Tonnes per Day)

Corporation (C)

Municipality (M)

Town Panchayat

(TP)

Total (TPD)

1. Coimbatore 850 91 160 1101 (Source: TNPCB, 2013)

The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) is divided into 4 Zones and each Zone comprises of 18 Sanitary Wards. The disposal and treatment methods done for Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation include Landfill, recycling and incineration.

Details of Solid waste collection, segregation, processing and disposal methods in the Coimbatore corporation municipalities are given in Table 43.

Table 43: Status of Solid Waste Disposal

Name of corporation /

Municipalities / Town Panchyats /

Village Panchayats

Details on collection of

municipal solid waste

Details on segregation of


Details on processing of


Disposal of municipal

solid waste

Coimbatore corporation

By lorries using dust bins

No segregation at source is carried out

Corporation is generating 850 T/d of MSW. It is carrying out the following. Windrow Composting -757 TPD. Vermi composting- 50 TPD.

Composting and land filling

Pollachi Municipality By lorries using dust bins

No segregation at source is carried out

Segregation using dram mill-windrow composting- pelletization is being carried out.

Composting and storage

Valparai municipality By lorries using dust bins

No segregation at source is done

Bio composting alone is carried out.

Composting and storage

(Source: TNPCB, 2013)

43

Bio-Medical Waste Management

Main sources of bio-medical wastes are from hospitals. The treatment methods are incineration, autoclave, shredding and deep burial. Details of the same are given in Table 45.

Hazardous Waste Management

The hazardous wastes are mostly generated from industries. The total quantity of wastes generated is 9202 MT (Table 44) and the total quantity is incinerated.

Table 44: Hazardous waste generation and disposal methods

District

No of industries

Hazardous Waste

Generation Total Qty MTA

Hazardous waste Treatment

Landfill Recyclable Incinerable

Coimbatore 110 9202.00 - - 9202.00


Table 45: Biomedical Waste Management in the Coimbatore District

Name Districts Covered

Treatment Facilities installed at Combined Biomedical Waste

Management Facility

M/s. Techno Ther Industries,

Orattukuppai, Coimbatore

District

Coimbatore Dt, Tiruppur Dt,

Erode Dt. Part

Incinerator – 250 Kg/hr – 1 No-500Kg/Day Autoclave-800 Lt/cycle –16,000 Hr/Day Shredder-100Kg/Hr & 2000 Kg /Day ETP Capacity – 25m3/ day Deep Burial – 20 feet * 10 Feet *6 Feet depth

M/s Kovai BioWaste Coimbatore

Incinerator – 200 Kg/hr Autoclave-300kg/batch Shredder-100Kg/Hr Deep Burial – 10 feet * 20 Feet *6 Feet depth


Energy Sources

Hydro power generation is predominant in the district. Wind energy is also being utilized with an installed capacity of 257.26 MW (Table 46).

Details of total power purchased from other sources are given in (Table

47). Major power consumption in the district is industrial and domestic. The industries account for 40.4 % of the total consumption (Table 48). Details of Rural electrification are provided in Table 49.

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Table 46: Conventional and Non- Conventional Sources

Name of the Power Stations Installed Capacity

(M.W.)

Generation (M.U.)

Hydro

1.Sarkarpathy Power House 30 109.549 2.Aliyar Power House 60 174.381 3.Sholayar P.H-I 70 217.419 4.Sholayar P.H-II 25 61.184 5.Kadamparai P.H 400 510.537 6.Punachi Mini P.H. 2 1.476 7. Aliyar Mini P.H. 2.5 8.696

Thermal - - Gas Turbine - - Wind Mills 257.26 379.32

(Source: TANGEDCO -2013)

Table 47: Quantum of power purchased (Year: 2011-2012)

Circle Power purchased sectors name

Power purchased in M.U.

CEDC/North / CBE CEDC/ South / CBE

Wind Mill Developers Wind Mill Developers

1122.22 1248.42

Total 2370.64

(Source: TANGEDCO- 2013)

Table 48: Power consumption sectorwise (year: 2011-2012)

Sectors Consumption

(M.U) % of the

Consumption

Industries 1213.46 40.42

Agriculture & Huts 291.20 9.70

Domestic 852.33 28.39

Commercial 282.26 9.40

Public lighting & Public Works 99.73 3.32

Sales to licenses 0.00 0.00

Sales to other states 0.00 0.00

Miscellaneous 263.46 8.77

Total 3002.44 100.00 (Source: TANGEDCO- 2013)

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Table 49: Rural electrification Year: 2011-2012

Electrified up to the year

Town Village Hamlet Agricultural Pump set

50 295 1408 50800

(Source: TANGEDCO- 2013)

1.8 ECO-SENSITIVE ASPECTS OF COIMBATORE DISTRICT

Environmental Issues

There has been extensive urban and industrial development in Coimbatore district. Many polluting industries and urban structures have been set up around important ecologically sensitive areas. As a result of which ecological degradation and problems such as human – animal conflict, water, air pollution have been witnessed in the district. There is also a high population density in the district. This has had an effect on the resources and waste disposal in the district. The following paragraphs highlight certain concerns of the eco-sensitive aspects of the district.

Western Ghats

The presence of the reserve forests, national parks and ranges like the Western Ghats make Coimbatore District an area of rich ecological diversity. Parts of the Western Ghats have been included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list because it is a centre of origin of many species and also home to many endemic species. The main forest sanctuaries include the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park and the Anamalai Tiger

reserve. The Western Ghats was declared as an ecological hotspot in 1988. A large number of plants, amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals are endemic to this region. This area has a number of protected areas including 2 biosphere reserves, 14 national parks and several wild life sanctuaries. Besides, many regions are declared as reserve forests. The Western Ghats of the district are the home of rivers such as Bhavani, Noyyal, Aliyar, Siruvani which provide the drinking water and irrigation water for the people and farmers of Coimbatore.

The loss and degradation of forest results in soil erosion, loss of biological, damage to wild life habitats and degradation of watershed areas

Land Environment

Land resources of the district

In Coimbatore, urbanization has led to the conversion of all forms of nature, including forests, agricultural, barren lands and wetlands for urban land use. Analysis of the spatio-temporal growth of Coimbatore shows rapid expansion between 1973 and 2010. The rapid growth of Coimbatore can be attributed to the influx of population into the city from the surrounding areas owing to the increase in economic opportunities resulting from industrialization. For instance, population of the city increased from 0.3 million in 1971 to 0.8 million in 1991 and further too over two million in 2011. Low-density urban spaces in the 1970s had transformed into medium and high-density areas by the mid-1980s. This was corroborated by the Census Report for Coimbatore

46

(2001) which suggested that the overall population density in the city has increased.

Water Environment

Many lakes and ponds were dug around the Coimbatore city in ancient times to reserve the water from Noyyal river (Originates from western ghats). The city of Coimbatore has 28 Lakes (Wetlands) in the River Noyyal Basin fed by the river. They are also known as System Tanks in Public Works Department (PWD). Singanallur Lake, Kuruchi Lake, Valankulam Lake, Krishnampatti Lake, Muthannan Lake and Seevagasintamani Lake are a few of them.

Waste Dumping

A high population and expanding industries have led to the generation of high amounts of domestic and industrial wastes that ultimately finds its way into the lakes. Over the years, dumping of municipal waste and construction debris in the lakes has shot up. Discarded plastic carry bags and other items choke waterways floating unfettered on

the open surfaces of lakes. During summer, these lakes get dried up paving for more and more garbage, municipal waste and industrial wastes to be dumped.

Ground Water Scarcity

Over- exploitation of Ground water resources in the district has caused a stress on the existing ground water table in the district. Overexploitation by industries and domestic sources has led to this strain on ground water resources. Details of the latest ground water block classification given in Table 50. In the past, every time there is reference to ground water level it proudly recalled to mind the lakes in the city. About 24 lakes in and around the city act as storage and percolation lakes and are major sources of ground water used for domestic and industrial activities for Coimbatore and hinterland. During the past three decades rapid progress has been made in the development of groundwater resources in the district to meet the increasing demands of domestic, irrigation and industrial needs.

Table 50: Ground water block classification

Over-Exploited (Greater than 100%)

Critical (Between 90 and 100 %)

Semi – Critical (70-90%)

Safe (Less than

70%)

Annur - Kinathukadavu Anamalai

Madukarai - Pollachi North Karamadai

Pollachi South - Sultanpet -

P.N. Palayam - Sulur -

Sarkarsamakulam - - -

Thondamuthur - - - (Source: State ground and surface water resources data centre, Tamil Nadu)

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Study of long term water levels reveals a declining trend, and the appreciable fall in water levels are seen in the taluks of Avinashi, and in the northern part of Pollachi. Over exploitation of groundwater causes serious damage to the aquifer. This has largely damaged the lake shrinkage in area and its declining potential to recharge groundwater.

Forest and Wildlife

Fragmenting Forests and biodiversity Habitat fragmentation caused by human induced modification of landscapes threatens the survival of wildlife. In fact, as forests are modified, the survival of wildlife depends upon their ability to use landscapes modified by humans. The mosaic of vegetation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Anamalai, and Munnar forest ranges, located in the vicinity of Coimbatore, provide refuge for large mammals, including elephants. The forest area on the outskirts of the city, serve as migratory corridors for the elephants. Some of the important elephant corridors in the region include the Jaccanari–Vedar, Kallar–Jaccanari, Kallar–Nellithurai, Anakatti–Veerapandi, Maruthamalai–Thanikandi,and Kalkothi–Walyar corridors.

Large scale clearance of forests (legally and illegally) for agriculture, plantations, residential, highways, railways, and other infrastructure projectsConsequently, this has led to fragmentation or destruction of contiguous forest into three separate landscapes as Anamalai, Periyar, and Agasthyamalai. As a result, elephants are often found stranded and scattered in enclaves looking for food and water

or at highways and rail lines that cut across these corridors (Figure 43), exposing them to accidents. This has also led to an increase in human-elephant conflicts in the region.

Figure 43: Elephant corridors in the Coimbatore forest division

Human Elephant Conflicts

Human wildlife conflict is on the rise worldwide due to many factors such as human population growth and increased consumption of natural resources for the purpose of development. Human elephant conflict is also on the rise mainly due to intensified agriculture production and narrow range of profitable agriculture crops due to increased cost of labour and production, changing land use pattern, increased urbanization, shift of land ownership primarily small scale farmer to large scale farmers, preference of education institutions, spiritual institutions, housing in the forest fringe areas, increase in wildlife population, habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife behavioral change leading to higher human tolerance, change of forest friendly life style of forest dwelling communities,

48

corridor disturbances, etc.In Coimbatore forest division due to the high stake holder tolerance and acceptability level by the wildlife and elephant friendly farmers the elephants while using the forests as migratory route tend to raid the attractive crops raised such as Maize, Fodder Cholam, Sugar cane, Banana, etc raised along the fringes. The elephants (Figure 44) are known to raid more than ten types of crops raised in more than 50 hamlets along the forest fringe areas and the crop raiding is the highest during the fruiting of the cereals crops i.e December and January. Generally the peak raiding season starts from post North East Monsoon and lasts till March which incidentally coincides with the migratory season. It is also seen that two to three elephants team up and carry excursions deeper into the human settlements even up to 10 km away from the forest fringe areas. The Coimbatore Forest Division has under taken many conflict mitigation measures such as

1. Development of physical barriers such as trenches and Solar Power Fences

2. Setting up of anti depredation teams in vulnerable points with search lights, etc.

3. Setting up of information network with the help of farmers so as to obtain information on the movement of wild elephants outside the forest areas 4. A crop compensation mechanism to compensate farmers (farmers get up to Rs 15,000 as compensation).

Eco – sensitive zones

MoEF & CC has constituted a High Level Working Group which has

recommended prohibition or regulation of identified projects and activities in the Ecologically Sensitive Area which have maximum interventionist and destructive impacts on ecosystems (Figure 45). List of Ecologically Sensitive Areas are given in Table 51.

The Western Ghats located in Coimbatore district not only harbor rich biodiversity, but also supports a population of people with high human population density and therefore, there is a need to conserve and protect the unique biodiversity while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.

(Source: MoEF.S.O.733 (E) [10.03.2014]: Draft Notification declaring Ecologically Sensitive Area in Western Ghats)

Figure 44: Elephants crossing the highway at outskirts of Coimbatore

Figure 45: Eco-sensitive zones in Coimbatore district

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Table 51: Eco – sensitive Zones in Coimbatore District

State District Taluk Village name

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Valparai Valparai (Tp)


Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Valparai Area under forest


Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Valparai Area under forest



Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Thadagam R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Anaikatti (North)

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Anaikatti (South)

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Veerapandi

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Boluvampatti (Block 1)

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Coimbatore North Boluvampatti (Block 2)

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Odanthurai R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Jaganarai Slopes R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Kallar R.F

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Hulical Drug R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Pillur Slope R.F

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Nellithurai and Sundapatti R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Kandiyur R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Nilgiri Eastern Slope R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Melur Slope R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Mettupalayam Anaikatti North R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Anamalai R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Anamalai R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Amaravathi R.F./Anamalai R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Amaravathi R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Kudiraiar & kukkal R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Kudiraiar & kukkal R.F.

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore Udumalaipettai Manjampatti R.F.

Tiruppur District

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2.1 INTRODUCTION

Tiruppur District is located in the western part of the state of Tamil Nadu at 11°18‟N and 77°25‟E. The headquarters of the district is in Tiruppur city. It is located on the banks of the Noyyal River.

Tiruppur is a major textile and Knitwear hub. The textile industry provides employment to over six lakh people and has an annual turnover of 220 billion Rupees. Of this, nearly 120 billion rupees come from exports.

The present Tiruppur district consists of 3 revenue divisions and contains 7 Taluks as shown in Figure 46. The Taluks are further divided into 350 Revenue Villages.

Figure 46: Showing Map of the

Tiruppur District

(Source:http://tnmaps.tn.nic.in/district.php)

The Division and Taluks of the Tiruppur District are furnished in the Table 52.

Table 52: Taluks in Tiruppur District

Division Taluks

Tiruppur

Tiruppur

Avinashi

Palladam

Dharapuram Dharapuram

Kangayam

Udumalpet Udumalpet

Madathukulam


Demographic Aspect

An official Census of India 2011 giving population details of Tiruppur, a district located in the western region of Tamil Nadu has been released by Directorate of Census Operations in Tamil Nadu. As per census 2011, Tiruppur had population of 24,79,052 of which male and female were 12,32,893 and 12,46,159 respectively (Table 53). In 2001 census, Tiruppur had a population of 19,20,154 of which males were 9,78,349 and remaining 9,41,805 were females.

Table 53: Population Growth (2011)

Persons 24,79,052

Males 12,32,893

Females 12,46,159 (Source: Census of India 2011)

Growth Rate

The population growth rate has increased during 2001-2011 as compared to 1991-2001. In Tiruppur district the growth rate between 2001

52

and 2011 was 29.11% percent whereas growth rate between 1991 and 2001 was only 25.34% percent (Table 54). The decadal growth rate of Tiruppur was higher than the State level. At the state level it is 15.61%.

Table 54: Decadal Growth 2001-2011

Persons

Year Population Growth (%)

1991-2001 (+)25.34%

2001-2011 (+)29.11%

The Population Density of Tiruppur District was 478 during the year 2011 & 367 in 2001 are shown in Table 55. The population density of Tiruppur district vs Tamilnadu is given in Figure 47.

Table 55: Density of Population in Tiruppur

Tiruppur 2011 2001

478 367

(Source: Census of India 2011)

Figure 47: Showing the Population density (nos) of Tiruppur district Vs

Tamil Nadu during 2001-2011


Tiruppur is also relatively more urbanized than the other districts in the state. According to the 2011 Census, 61.36 percent of the population of Tiruppur lives in urban areas (Table 56) whereas the level of urbanization as compared to the state is 48.4 percent.

Table 56: Percentage of Rural and Urban Population (2011)

Tiruppur District

Rural 38.64%

Urban 61.36%


The increase in level of urbanization in Tiruppur over the period 2001-2011 is related to the emergence of major industrial, textile, commercial, educational, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. In the 2001 census, all statutory towns and places that satisfy certain demographic and economic criteria are treated as urban. All Town Panchayats have been included in the urban frame irrespective of whether they satisfy the demographic and economic criteria.

Literacy Level

Average literacy rate of Tiruppur in 2011 were 78.68 compared to 71.08 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 85.49 and 71.82 respectively. For 2001 census, same figures stood at 80.44 and 61.37 in Tiruppur District. Total literate in Tiruppur District were 1,760,566 of which male and female were 959,623 and 800,943 respectively. In 2001, Tiruppur District had 1,222,628 in its district. (Table 57 and 58)

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Table 57: Percentage of Literates to Total population

Persons 78.68

Males Females

85.49 71.82


Table 58: Number of Literates

Persons 1,760,566

Males Females

959,623 800,943

2.3 LAND RESOURCES

Land Use

The geographical area of Tiruppur is 519559 ha. According to professional survey and also village records, the land use pattern during 2011 is indicated in the following Table 59.

Table 59: Land Utilization Pattern (2011)

Classification Area in Hectare Classification

ofTiruppur districts Total Geographical Area Forest Barren and Uncultivable uses Land put to Non-Agricultural uses Cultivable Waste Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Land Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves not included in Net Area Sown Current Fallows Other Fallow Land Gross Net Area Sown Gross Area Sown

519559 48168 2541

68677 3926 126 1883

91152 107985 199918 195101 199918

Metropolitan Area

The City covers an area of 27.19 km2.

Classification of Soil

Black soil and red soil are major soil types available in the Tiruppur district. The soil classification of Tiruppur district is furnished in Table 60 and Figure 48.

Figure 48: Map showing Soil

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Classification of Tiruppur district

Table 60: Area for Different Types of Soil

Major Soils Area (‘000 ha)

Black soil

Red Soil

Others

254.9

236.7

19.0


Major agricultural crops

Tiruppur district though an industrial district plays important role in Agriculture also. The food production required to be enhanced to provide food and nutritional security to the growing district population. In Tiruppur more than 80% of the farmers belong to small and marginal category and they play a key role in overall development in Agriculture. The total area of cultivation is around 2,28,556 hectares, mainly food and commercial crops. The chief food crops are paddy, millets and

pulses. The non food or commercial crops in the district are cotton, oil seeds and coconut. Productions of Crops in Tiruppur are shown in Table 61.

Table 61: Production of crops in Tiruppur

Name of The Crop

Production

('000 t)

Productivity

(kg/ha)

Maize

Sorghum

Paddy

168.7

88.6

83

7302

1867

6547

(Source: Agriculture Contingency Plan – Tiruppur-2013)


Major horticulture crops cultivated in this district are fruits crops like mango, banana, aonla, sapota and papaya, vegetables like bhendi, tomato, brinjal, onion, tapioca, moringa, spices and condiments like chillies and turmeric, plantation crops like cocoa ,flower crops like jasmine, tube rose, marigold, cock’s comb and medicinal plants like gloriosa and coleus (Table 62).


Name Of The Crop Area(ha) Production

(000’t) Productivity

(kg/ha)

Fruits Vegetables Plantation Crops Spices & Condiments Flowers Medicinal & Aromatic Crops

6440 8984 5035 4730 42

1081

172183 162285 2924 31175 377

2185

26.74 18.06 0.58 6.59 8.98 2.02

Total 26312 371129 14.10

(Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu-2013)

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Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for normal growth of plants. Water is an important determinant factor for production of crops in agriculture sector. Intensive and extensive cultivation of land depends mainly on the availability of water.

Medium and minor irrigation schemes are implemented in the state for augmenting the water supply for agriculture. The various sources of irrigation are canals, tanks, tube wells, ordinary wells, springs and channels. The following Table 63 shows the area irrigated in the District.

Table 63: Irrigation area of the

Tiruppur District (2013)


Net irrigated area

Gross irrigated area

Rain fed area

119.3

123.1

72.9

(Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu-2013)

Forest and Wildlife

Important Wildlife Sanctuaries

(a) Amaravathy crocodile farm

The Crocodile farm at Amaravathy dam is one of the four major crocodile farms in the country and is a popular destination.

The crocodile farm is also the home of grizzled squirrels with many nests located on trees within the farm.

The largest wild breeding population of Crocodiles in South India lives in the Amaravathy reservoir and in the Chinnar, Thennar and Pambar rivers.

These broad-snouted Mugger Crocodiles, also known as Marsh Crocodiles and Persian Crocodiles, are the most common and widespread of the three species of Crocodiles found in India. They eat fish, other reptiles, small and large mammals and are sometimes dangerous to humans also.

Crocodiles (The mugger crocodile), once abundant in Amaravathy, Periyar and Chinnar and most of other perennial river, have been threatened to near extinction. Hence the project of captive breeding of this crocodiles came into existing at Amaravathy.

The object of captive breeding of crocodile at Amaravathy as in other Crocodile Centre in Tamil Nadu is to collect Crocodile eggs from the wild clutch and rear it in captivity and release the young crocodile in the wild to restore its status.

The Amaravathy Sagar Crocodile Farm, established in 1976, the largest Crocodile nursery (captivity) in India is should be 90 km from Tiruppur via Palladam and Udumalpet and one km. before the Amaravathy dam site.

Many Crocodiles of all sizes can be seen basking in the sun and suddenly making a stride or piled up on one another. Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the Farm. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild. There are now 98 crocodiles (25

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male + 73 female) maintained in captivity here.

b) Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary

Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary is spread over at the altitude of 1400 meters in the Western Ghats area of Pollachi, Valparai and Udumalaipettai.

The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq km of which only 387 sq km spreadover in Tiruppur district. Amaravthy Reserve Forest and part of Anaimalai Reserve Forest of Anaimalai wildlife Sanctuary falls within the Tiruppur district. It has

various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalai has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as, Grass hills, waterfalls (Panchalingam), river streams (Thirumoorthy and Amaravathy). (chinnar, tenar), teak forests, dams and reservoirs. Other reserved forests found in Tiruppur district is given in Table 64.

Table 64: Other Reserve forests found in the District

Other Reserve forests found in the District

S.No Name of the reserved forest Area in Ha

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Annamalai Amaravathi Manjampatti Kudhirayannur Kookal Manimalai Oothiur Attamalai Salavaipatinam

22331.54 13840.92 3058.15 337.5

3058.75 387.31 376.21 21.73 131.05


2.4 BIODIVERSITY

Fauna Species

Animals Found in Tiruppur District

Figure 49: Mugger Crocodiles

Amaravathy Crocodile Farm

The largest wild breeding population of Crocodiles in South India lives in the Amaravathy reservoir and in the Chinnar, Thennar and Pambar rivers that drain into it. These broad-snouted Mugger Crocodiles (Figure 49), also known as Marsh Crocodiles and Persian Crocodiles, are the most common and widespread of the three species of Crocodiles found in India. They eat fish, other reptiles, small and large mammals and are sometimes dangerous to humans also.

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Crocodiles (The mugger crocodile) once abundant in Amaravathy, Periyar and Chinnar and most of other Perennial River have been threatened to near extinction. Hence the project of captive breeding of this crocodiles came into existing at Amaravathy.

The object of captive breeding of crocodile at Amaravathy as in other Crocodile Centre in Tamilnadu is to collect Crocodile eggs from the wild clutch and rear it in captivity and release the young crocodile in the wild to restore its status.

The Amaravathy Sagar Crocodile Farm, established in 1976, the largest Crocodilenursery (captivity) in India is should be 90 km from Tiruppur via Palladam and Udumalpet and one km. before the Amaravathy dam site.

Many Crocodiles of all sizes can be seen basking in the sun and suddenly making a stride or piled up on one another. Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the Farm. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild. There are now 98 crocodiles (25 male + 73 female) maintained in captivity here. Three Forest Department personnel manage and maintain the Centre.

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS&NP)

It is a protected area located in the Anaimalai Hills of Pollachi, Valparai and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore District and Tirupur District.

Threatened species of mammals in the sanctuary include

The endangered Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, Dhole (Asiatic wild dog), Nilgiritahr and Lion-tailed macaque, the vulnerable Brown Mongoose, Gaur, Malabar Spiny Dormouse, Nilgirilangur, Rusty-spotted cat, Sambar Deer, Sloth bear and Smooth-coated Otter.

Animals of least concern here include: Golden jackal, Leopard cat, Jungle cat, Spotted deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Common langur, Bonnet macaque, Asian Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Grey Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian Crested Porcupine, Indian Pangolin, Indian porcupine and Three-striped Palm Squirrel.

Over 250 species of birds have been identified in the park. Some of the most important groups are cormorants, ducks, teal, darter, partridge, quail, jungle fowl, spur fowl, Indian peafowl, parakeets, hornbills, barbets, drongos, orioles, shrikes, warblers, Old World fly catchers, woodpeckers, chloropsis, trogons, kingfishers, storks, egrets, fish eagle, hawk eagles, harriers, falcons, kites, owls and nightjars. It is also home to the near-threatened Great Indian Hornbill.

It is home to 15 of 16 species of birds endemic to the Western Ghats.

Reptiles include Toads, Spotted Leaping Frog & Leith's Leaping Frog, tree frogs, Black Torrent Frogs, Cobras, Grass Snakes, Forest Cane Turtles, Travancore Tortoises, Kraits, Pythons,

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Flapshell Turtless, Star Tortoises and Vipers.

Floral Species

The diverse topography and rainfall gradient allow a wide variety of vegetation comprising a mix of natural and man-made habitats.

The former includes wet evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest, montane shola-grassland, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, thorn forests and marshes. Tropical wet evergreen forest is found at an altitude of 600m to 1,600m.

Tropical montane forests occur at higher elevations and are interspersed with montane grasslands, forming the shola-grassland complex.

Much of the original evergreen forest now contains introduced teak plantations. Bamboo stands and reeds occur in the natural forests. Tree cover is provided by Hopea parviflora, Mesua ferrea, Calophyllum tomentosum, Vateria indica, Cullenia excelsa and Mangifera indica, Machilus macrantha, Alstonia scholaris, Evodia meliaefolia, Ailanthus & Bombax ceiba and Eucalyptus grandis. The area is home to Podocarpus wallichianus, a rare species of conifer.

Biodiversity Hotspots

A biodiversity hotspot is a bio-geographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is considered as a Biodiversity Hotspot.

2.5 WATER RESOURCES

Water resources comprising of surface water (river and lakes), ground water and marine and coastal waters, support all living things including human beings.

Rainfall

In Tiruppur due to the presence of the mountain pass, major parts of the district benefit from the south-west monsoon in the months from June to August. After a warm, humid September, the regular monsoon starts from October lasting till early November. These monsoons are brought about by the retreating North-eastern monsoon. The average annual rainfall is around 619 mm with the North East and the South West monsoons contributing to 47% and 28% respectively to the total rainfall (Table 65).


Ground Water is found beneath the earth’s surface and is an important source of water in most of the Districts in the State. Ground Water is withdrawn for Agriculture, municipal and industrial use. The depth at which the ground water is found is called Ground water Table.The district is classified into different blocks based on the ground water abstraction rate (Table 66).


The major rivers flowing through the district are Noyyal and Amaravathi (Figure 50). The Amaravati River is the main source of irrigation in the district. Amaravathi Dam, which created Amaravathi Reservoir, is located at Amaravathinagar.

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Thirumurthy dam which is created by the PAP project is situated in this district. Both Amaravathi dam and Thirumurthy dam are the prime source of irrigation in the district, whereas Uppaar dam is another dam which receives water from seasonal rain.

Rural Water Supply

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board is the Government agency Responsible for providing drinking water supplies to the urban and rural populace in the district. The water requirements of the habitations are met with either through surface water sources or through various Mini Water Supply Schemes or Integrated water supply schemes utilizing the available ground water resources.

Surface Water Pollution in Tiruppur District

Tiruppur is affected by industrial pollution. There are about 669 dyeing and bleaching industries under

operation as per the available statistical data. The liquid and solid waste discharged into the nearby land and has contaminated the ground water water courses.

Figure 50: Map showing Rivers of the Tiruppur District

Table 65: Rainfall of Tiruppur

Rainfall Average

(mm)

Normal Onset (specify week and

month)

Normal Cessation (specify week and

month)

SW monsoon (June’11 – Sep’11)

NE Monsoon (Oct’11 –Dec’11)

Winter (Jan’12-March’12)

Summer (Apr’12-May’12)

Annual Total (June’11 –May’12)

131.4

324.7

18.9

144.3

619.3

2nd week of June

2nd week of October

--

--

--

1st week of September

3rd week of December

--

--

--

(Source: statistical Handbook of Tamil Nadu, 2013)

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Table 66: Ground water blocks of Tiruppur District (13 Blocks)


100%)

Critical (Between 90 and

100 %)

Semi – Critical (70-90%)

Safe (Less than 70%)

Avinashi Gudimangalam Pongalur Dharapuram -- Palladam -- Kangayam -- Udumalpet -- Kundadam -- -- -- Madathukulam -- -- -- Moolanur -- -- -- Tiruppur -- -- -- Uthukuli -- -- -- Vellakovil

(Source: The Chief Engineer, State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre)

Table 67: Urban Water Supply

S.no. Name of towns Population Present water

supply level LPCD

Corporations

1. Tiruppur 444352 80

Municipalities

1. Dharapuram 56007 75 2. Vellakoil 40359 90 3. Udumalaipettai 61133 123 4. Kangeyam 32147 85 5. Palladam 7263 85

Town Panchayats

1. Avanashi 28868 70 2. Chinnakkampalayam 11546 70 3. Dhali 5874 70 4. Kaniyur 6180 70 5. Kannivadi 10369 70 6. Kolathupalayam 17819 70 7. Komaralingam 13642 72 8. Kunnathur 8774 76 9. Madathukulam 20620 105 10. Mulanur 15223 70 11. Muthur 13212 70

12. Rudravathi (Kondadam)

6807 70

13. Samalapuram 20691 70 14. Sankaramanallur 10283 70 15. Thirumuruganpoondi 31528 70 16. Uthukuli 10130 70

(Source: Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board -2014)

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Table 68: Ground Water Pollution in Tiruppur

Source of Ground Water Contamination



Percentage (%)

Contaminated Sources 2607 1056 40.51

Fluoride Contamination 2607 14 0.54

Nitrate Contamination 2607 781 29.96

Iron Contamination 2607 2 0.08

Fecal Colliform 2607 120 4.96

(Source: NRDWP Testing 2010)


Tourist Attractions

Temples

There many temples with historical and artistic values are in Tiruppur district. Some of the temples are in the hills such as, Sivanmalai, Kaithamalai, Alagumalai and Thirumoorthymalai and some other temples are preserved by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) such as Thirumurugan Poondi and Sukrieswara temple of Sarkar Periyapalayam.

Murugan Temple, Uthukuli, Tiruppur

More than 200 people visit the Uthukuli Murugan Temple daily. The Important things is that only in Kaithamalai that is Uthukuli the temple car is in the hill and devotees pull the temple car in the slopes.

Kadu Anumantharayaswamy temple, Dharapuram

It is situated at Dharapuram town, 45 km from Tiruppur and 32 km from Palani. The pillars in the mandapa are made up of wood with fine carving. During the ten Days festival (Vaikasi or

May) there is a Car Festival function also.

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Sivanmalai

The Sivanmalai Temple is about 25 kms from Tiruppur and the main deity is Lord Subramanian.

Arulmigu Sukriesswara Temple, Sarkar Periyapalayam at Uthukuli

It is believed that the temple complex completed during 12th Century. The temple complex consists of two separate towers, (Vimanam) one for Lord Siva and another one for Amman. There are other structures such as construction of “Vimana” on the Sanctum which indicate the Choladyanasty. The temple Complex located on the bank of Nallar River Stream which tributary of Noyyal River.

Dams and Waterfalls

Amaravathi dam

Amaravathi Dam at Amaravathi-nagar, 25 km south on NH-17 from Udumalpet, is located in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tiruppur district,

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Tamil Nadu, India. It is notable for the significant population of Mugger Crocodiles living in its reservoir and catchment's basin. This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre for tourism (Figure 51).

Figure 51: Showing the Amaravathi River Dam in Tiruppur District

Thirumoorthy Dam

Thirumoorthy Temple is situated at the foot of theThirumoorthy hillsorThirumoorthi hillsadjoining the Thirumoorthy dam. The scenic beauty ofthe Anamalai hill range of Western Ghats includes the cascading water to the Thirumoorthy reservoir from the Panchalingam Falls. A perennial stream flows by the side of theSri Amanalingeswarar temple. The presiding deity is called Amanalingeswara (Figure 52).

Figure 52: Showing Thirumoorthi Dam in Tiruppur District

Panchalinga Waterfalls

Panchalinga waterfalls located just 3 km from Thirumoorthy Temple and 18 km from Udumalaipettai.The Thirumoorthitemple or the Sri Amanalingeswarar temple is at the foot of the hill adjacent to Thirumoorthi dam. The falls with a perennial is a famous picnic spot here. One can also enjoy a nice trekking experience of nearly 2 km on the way to waterfalls. The place surrounded by Thirumoorthi hills offers a cool atmosphere and provides backdrop for many Indian films (Figure 53).

Figure 53: Showing Panchalinga Waterfalls

Archaeology

Stone sculptures

Stone sculpture is traditional family business of Nayakkars and Viswakarmas in Tirumurugan Poondi and nearby villages for more than 300 years. Veerakumara Swamy Temple in Vellakovil also one among the famous temple. The place surrounded by Thirumoorthi hills offers a cool atmosphere (Figure 54).

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Figure 54: Stone sculptures in Tiruppur District


Urbanization

Industrialization and urbanization are both interlinked to each other, with the onset on industries the urban population around that area soon increases. Tiruppur is one of the most industrially developed districts of Tamil Nadu. It has got a high concentration of small, medium and large scale industries. It is famous for the textile industries. Tiruppur is the "knitwear capital" of India. It has spurred up the textile industry in India for the past three decades. It contributes to a huge amount of foreign exchange in India. The city being enriched as a knitwear capital of India, exports Rs.120 billion worth of goods - Tiruppur Export Knitwear Industrial Complex (TEKIC).

An exclusive industrial complex for manufacture of Knitwear for export, namely, Tirupur export Knitwear Industrial Complex, about 8 kms from

Tirupur, in a sprawling 100 acres site to relieve congestion within the city and facilitate expansion of production capacities.

This is the first Industrial Complex promoted by private enterprise, consisting 189 industrial sheds with full-fledged infrastructure facilities such as power Water, roads, rain water drainage, sewerage, security post and telecommunication. The investment in this complex has crossed Rs.200 crores and value of production is estimated at Rs.800 Crores per annum. The Industrial units are shown in Table 69.

Table 69: Number of Industrial Units in Tiruppur District

Operations Number of

Units

Knitting Units 1500

Dyeing and Bleaching

700

Fabric Printing 500

Garment Making 2500

Embroidery 250

Other Ancillary Units 500

Compacting and Calendaring

300

Total 6250

(Source: SIDCO, Tiruppur, 2013)

Industrial Areas

The main industrial clusters in Tiruppur given in Table 70.

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Table 70: Existing Status of Industrial Area in the District

Name of the Industrial Area

Landacquired

(In hectare)

No.of

Plots No.

ofallottedPlots

No. ofUnits in

Production

Ganapathipalayam 6.92 53 53 77

Gudimangalam 2.72 1 1 31

Tiruppur 4.10 5 5 45

SIDCO Estate, Rasathi Valasu,KangamTaluk

21.19 51 51 -

Total 34.93 110 110 153

No. Of Industries in Tiruppur District (Red, Orange, Green)

The following table shows the number of Red, Orange and Green

Industries in Tiruppur District. The Industries are categorized by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, based on the varying Pollution levels (Table 71).

Table 71: Number of Red, Orange, Green Industries in Tiruppur District

Location

Large Medium Small Total

Red Orange Green Red Orange Green Red Orange Green

Tiruppur North

28 33 5 24 19 12 979 176 1085 2361

Tiruppur South

14 36 2 5 19 3 368 145 138 730

(Source: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board-2013)

Wind mills

The wind flows through palaghat gap serve as source of alternate wind energy in the area of kethanur, Kundadam, Gudimangalam and Udumalaipettai as these areas were being identified as high wind prone zone. Plenty of wind mills were erected in this region with the help of Ministry of New and Non Conventional Energy and

Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency.

One can enjoy the huge wind mill tower with fan shield revolving for generating electricity either travelling from Palladam to Udumalaipaettai via Kethanur and Gudimangalam or from Pollachi to Dharapuram via Gudimangalam.

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Pollution Hotspots

There are more than 754 bleaching and dyeing units in Tiruppur. Out of 754 units, 502 units are the members of 20 common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and the remaining 252 units have provided individual effluent treatment plants (IETPs).

In due compliance, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board in its proceedings issued directions for closure & disconnection of power supply to many of the bleaching and Dyeing units covered under the CETPs/IETPs of Tiruppur.

Sewage Pollution

The total project outlay is Rs. 1023 crores and it is to supply 185 million litres per day (MLD) of raw water - 100 MLD water to industries, 36.3 MLD to way side villages and 48.7 MLD for domestic and non-domestic users within Tiruppur Municipality (TM) 1. The project also has the mandate for increasing the non-domestic water supply by additional 65 MLD in case the demand for water from the industries exceeds the allocated 100 mld. The project draws water from the Bhavani River from an intake station located around 55 kms from Tiruppur. It is also to provide sewage collection and treatment services for 30 MLD sewage, connecting about 9000 new households to the sewerage network by 2014. There is provision for low cost sanitation (public toilets) numbering about 255 units in all the 88 slums of the Tiruppur town. The project claims that this will benefit about 60% of Tiruppur town. With respect to water supply, the scheme was designed to supply and meet “an ultimate demand of 126 million

litres of water per day (MLD) from industries and 93 MLD from households”. A water treatment plant

was constructed and distribution systems were put in place to ensure an efficient distribution of water. The project also included the provision of tertiary treatment facility to treat domestic sewage so it can be reused or recycled. The construction of the water treatment plant began in October 2002, and the majority of mechanical work was completed by December 2004. However, it was finally made operational in February 2006 because of delay due to flooding.

With respect to an improved sewage system, it comprised of a collection system, pumping stations, two sewage treatment plants and basic sanitation facilities such as septic tanks and water closets. The sewerage system aimed to serve 639,500 inhabitants of the town by 2030.

Noise pollution

Besides with the growing level of air and water pollution, road traffic noise pollution has been recognized rising as a new threat to the inhabitants of cities. The urban environmental quality of developing countries “cities” has been

deteriorated by an unlimited increase of vehicles, infrastructure, and population.

Consequently, the continuous increased intensity of traffic noise level due to the population has degraded urban quality of life. Road traffic noise is the big challenge for urban planners and environmental engineers to overcome road traffic noise in cities. Continuous high level of noise can cause serious stress on the auditory

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and non-auditory, and nervous system of the city dwellers. It is also leading cause of great annoyance for exposed population due to the poor conditions of engine, exhaust etc., It is noticeable that the major part of the populations

exposed to noise levels greater than 65 dB(A) every day (Table 72).There are about 30,00,000 different types of vehicles in the city of Tiruppur which one third of them are more than 20 year old.

Table 72: Sound level information of main areas in Tiruppur (Morning & Evening peak hours)

Location Time

Morning Evening

Noise level

(dB)

Total

Vehicles

Noise level

(dB)

Total

Vehicles

New bus stand 6.30-6.45 82 118 94.31 921

Kumaran hospital 6.45-7.00 74 34 95.94 260

60 feet road 7.00-7.15 90 100 101.12 523

Pushpa theater 7.15-7.30 92.5 185 94.58 697

Railway station

(outside) 7.30-7.45 78 36 73.98 31

Railway station

Inside 8.00-8.15 82 - 78.78 -

Town hall 8.15-8.30 95 560 95.52 880

Old bus stand

(outside) 8.30-8.45 89 516 95.37 1059

Old bus stand

(inside) 8.45-9.00 90.65 - 91.01 -

Nanjappa school

Zone 9.15-9.30 95.76 409 93.23 392

Planning along with lack of strong police monitoring are the major reasons of noise pollution in the city. Although heavy vehicles are not permitted to enter the city in the daytime 06:00 – 22.00 but still the main fraction of transport activities area relied to personal gasoline cards and diesel buses which generate the high level of noise pollution due to poor maintenance and old technology.

Water PollutionImpact on ground water

Water levels in the bore wells are lowering due to the large scale exploitation of groundwater from various sources. Also, the quality of water is poor from the deeper aquifers especially the TDS & TSS parameters.

Generally, the water is not suitable for the textile industry and for drinking.

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The depth of bore well in Tiruppur area varies from 1000 to 1200 feet.

The Different chemicals used in textile industry and their effect on

environmental Health and Typical Characteristics of wastewater from textile industry in Tiruppur are shown in the Table 73 and 74.

Table 73: Different chemicals used in textile industry and their effect on environmental Health

Type Character Hazard

Detergent Non-ionic detergent based on nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE)

(NPE Biodegradable Nony phenol (Non – Biodegradable and more toxic than NPE)

• Non-biodegradable

Highly toxic to fish and aquatic fauna

• Affects liver and immune system

• Indirectly aid in breast cancer and testicle cancer

Stain remover

Carry solvent like CCl4 • Ozone depletion ten times more than CFC

Oxalic acid Used for rust stain removal • Toxic for aquatic organism

• Boosts COD

Sequestering agents

Polyphosphates like Trisodium polyphosphate & Sodium hexameta phosphate

• Banned in Europe but still use in India

Printing Gums

Preservatives pentachlorophenol is used in Europe & India

• Dermatitis

• Liver and kindney damage

• Carcinogenic

Fixing Agent Formaldehyde and Benzindie • Harmful, internationally banned

Bleaching Chlorine bleaching • Itching and Harmful

Dyeing Amino acid liberating group • Carcinogenioc

• Internationally banned

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Table 74: Typical Characteristics of wastewater from textile industry in Tiruppur

Parameters Bleaching Dyeing Composite

pH 10 9.8 8.8

Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/L) 300 380 330

Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) 650 700 660

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 300 350 300

TDS (mg/L) 6560 90 00– 10,000 8620

Colour Whitish Intense Colour Intense Colour

Physio-chemical parameters of surface and groundwater sample of

Tiruppur district is given in Table 75. CPCB standards for the same are given in Table 76.

Table 75: Different physio- chemical parameters of surface and groundwater sample of Tiruppur

S.

No Location pH

TDS

in ppm

TS

in ppm

TSSin ppm

COD

in ppm

Chloride as Cl

in ppm

Sulphides as H2S

in ppm

Sulphate as SO4

in ppm

Surface Water (As per ISI-IS: 2296-1982)

Class - A 6.5-8.5 500 - - - 250 - 400

Class - B 6.5-8.5 - - - - - - -

Class - C 6.5-8.5 1500 - - - 600 - 400

Class - D 6.5-8.5 - - - - - - -

Class - E 6.5-8.5 2100 - - - 600 - 1000

1 Samalapuram Pond Pond 7.2 1200 1380 180 57.6 473.68 0.98 122.5

2 Managalam River 8.3 11800 19880 8080 241.6 6947.49 0.64 424

3 Andipalayam River 9.1 1660 2920 1260 201.5 552.08 14.66 151.5

4 Tiruppur Main Town River 9.7 2460 2820 360 134.4 1207.43 24 200.5

5 Mamarathupallam River 8.4 2240 2620 380 25.6 835.91 4.08 172

7 Sulur Lake Lake 9.1 1050 1260 210 12.8 334.36 N.D. 76

8 Ungampalayam River 10.5 2060 2480 420 25.6 826.62 N.D. 225

9 Ukkadam Big Tank Pond 10.4 1180 1320 140 14.4 482.97 1.71 41.5

Drinking Water (As per IS-10500-2004)

6.5-8.5 500 - - - 250 0.05 200

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Table 76: CPCB Standards for Effluents from Textile Industry

Parameter Concentration not to exceed,

milligram per Litre (mg/l),except pH

pH 5.5 – 9.0 Total suspended solids 100 Bio – chemical oxygen demand (BOD) 30 Chemical Oxygen demand(COD) 250 Total residual chlorine 1 Oil and Grease 10 Total chromium as Cr 2 Sulphide as S 2 Phenolic compounds as C6H5OH 1


Bio-medical waste is treated and disposed through the combined Bio-medical waste management facility located Orattukuppal, Coimbatore District (Table 77).


Hazardous waste management is done by incineration of the wastes (Table 78).

Table 77: Bio-Medical Waste management in Tiruppur District

S.No Name Districts Covered

Treatment Facilities installed at Combined Biomedical Waste

Management Facility

1.

M/s. Techno Ther Industries,

Orattukuppai, Coimbatore District

Coimbatore Dt, TiruppurDt,

Erode Dt. Part

Incinerator – 250 Kg/hr – 1 No-500 Kg/Day

Autoclave-800 Lt/cycle -16,000 Hr/Day

Shredder-100Kg/Hr & 2000 Kg /Day Hydroclave-Not Available Microwave- Not available

ETP Capacity – 25m3/ day Deep Burial – 20 feet * 10 Feet *6

Feet depth (Source: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, 2013)

Table 78: Hazardous waste management

District No of industries

Hazardous waste generation Total

Qty


Schedule 1

Schedule 2

Land fill Recyclable Incinerable

Tiruppur 267 42947.53 875.5 35980.32 - - 35980.32 (Source: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, 2013)

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2.8 ECO-SENSITIVE ASPECTS OF TIRUPPUR DISTRICT


Tiruppur town is located on the bank of Noyyal River, Tamil Nadu, India. Noyyal is a tributary of river Cauvery. There 729 bleaching and dying units are in operation in Tiruppur area. These units generate 96.1 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater. Initially, they discharged untreated effluent into the river.

In year 1997, after the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) directions they installed 8Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) and individual effluent treatment plants (IETP) consisting of physical, chemical and biological treatment process. Even then, the treated effluent from the CETPs and IETPs did not meet the Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and chloride standards. The discharge of high TDS and chloride effluent into Noyyal river had significantly affected the river water quality, groundwater quality as well as the Orathupalayam dam which is constructed across Noyyal river at 32 km downstream of Tiruppur.

In year 2006, the honorable High Court of Madras and TNPCB directed the bleaching and dyeing units to install Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plantconsisting of RO plant and reject management system. At present there are 17 CETPs with ZLD plant are in operation. The treated effluent is reused by the member units. The RO reject is concentrated in Multiple Effect Evaporator (MEE)/Mechanical Vacuum Re-compressor (MVR) and then solar evaporated. Thus the discharge into the river is now stopped.

Water Environment

Tiruppur Textile CETPs

Based on the directions of the Madras High Court and TNPCB in 2006 the bleaching and dyeing units in Tiruppur implemented CETPs and IETPs to meet the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms

The broad technology adopted by the effluent treatment plants consists of a pretreatment system followed by water recovery system (using reverse osmosis) and the reject management system (based on evaporator)

450 units collectively have set up 20 CETPs while balance 150 units have set up their own individual effluent treatment plants (IETPs). Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company (TWIC) was engaged by 9 CETPs

The total investment in this treatment system is estimated to be Rs.800 crores (for 20 CETPs). This investment has been largely funded by the bleaching and dyeing units (20 to 30%) and the balance has been arranged through commercial banks as loans (70 to 80%)

TWIC made a presentation to GoTN in June 2011 for CETPs for demonstration of ZLD based on “brine

reuse technology”. It was proposed to

demonstrate this in one CETP for a 3 month period and thereafter on successful demo, implement the same in other CETPs. Required funding for modifications was also indicated. This was accepted by GoTN and necessary orders for demonstration at Arulpuram

71

CETP and also funding for 20 CETPs was announced.

Tiruppur Textile Effluent

Management Project

Project: TWIC has developed and established 9 Textile dyeing CETPs with a capacities ranging from 3 MLD to 11 MLD (Combined Capacity 53 MLD) in Tiruppur based on Zero Liquid Discharge. The major components are BIOT, RO, Evaporator and Pipeline (Figure 55).

Figure 55: Flow diagram of CETP Treatment Scheme

Karur District

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3.1 INTRODUCTION

Karur District is the centrally located district in Tamil Nadu between 10º 95’ Northern Latitude 78º 08’ Eastern Longitude. The main city in Karur District is Karur, which is also the district headquarters. It is located on the bank of Amaravathi River.

Karur is famous for its home textiles. Bed linens, kitchen linens, toilet linens, table linens and wall hangings are some of the products made here. Karur generates around Rs.6000 crores through direct and indirect exports. Other industries like ginning and spinning mills, dyeing factories, weaving employ around 450,000 people in and around Karur.

Karur district has 2 Revenue Division, 5 Taluks (Figure 56), 11 Town Panchayats and 158 Village Panchayats and 203 Revenue Villages.

Karur District is a part of Cauvery delta region is rich in black soil accounting for 35.51% followed by laterite soil for 23.85%. The main crops are paddy, banana, sugarcane, beetle leaf, grams & pulses and tapioca.

Figure 56: Map Showing Karur District


Karur has become synonymous with the hand loom industry. The weaving industry came to Karur from Kerala and has earned a reputation for its high quality hand-loom products today. Hand loom exports from Karur began on a modest scale with just 15 exporters in 1975 and today Karur has thousands of exporters and the products are supplied to international companies.

Paper production by TNPL is promoted by the Government of Tamil Nadu with loan assistance from the World Bank. Today TNPL is one of the largest producers of bagasse based paper in the world. Other Industries include Bus-bodybuilding, cement, sugar and Gem Stones.

Karur gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, during the months of September to mid-November


Demographic Aspects

An official Census of India 2011 giving population details of Karur, a district located in the western region of Tamil Nadu has been released by Directorate of Census Operations in Tamil Nadu. Enumeration of key persons was done by census officials in Karur District of Tamil Nadu. In 2011, Karur had population of 10, 64,493of which male and female were 5, 28,184 and 5, 36,309 respectively. In 2001 census, Karur had a population of 9, 35,686 of which males were 4, 65,538 and remaining 4, 70,148 were females (Table 79).

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Table 76: Population of Karur district

Persons Population (nos.)

2001 2011

Males 4,65,538 5,28,184

Females 4,70,148 5,36,309

(Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu – 2013)

Figure 57: Population of Karur district Vs. Tamil Nadu during 2001-

2011

Growth Rate

The population growth rate has increased during 2001-2011 as compared to 1991-2001. In Karur district the growth rate between 2001 and 2011 was 13.77% percent whereas growth rate between 1991 and 2001 was only 9.54% (Table 80).


Persons

Year Population Growth (%)

1991-2001 (+)9.54%

2001-2011 (+)13.77%

Figure 58: Population density of Karur district Vs. Tamil Nadu during

2001 and 2011

Karur has a population of 935,686 according to the 2001 census, which rose to 1,064,493 in 2011 making it the 29th most populous district in the state (Figure 57). Karur has a density of population of 323 persons per sq. km. whereas the state average is 555 persons per sq. km (Figure 58).


According to the 2011 Census, 40.82 % percent of the population of Karur lives in urban areas whereas the level of urbanization as compared to the state is 48.4 % (Table 81).


Karur

District

Rural 59.18%

Urban 40.82%


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The level of urbanization has increased over the period 2001-2011 and is related to the emergence of major industrial, textile, commercial, educational, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. In the 2001 census, all statutory towns and places that satisfy certain demographic and economic criteria are treated as urban. All Town Panchayats have been included in the urban frame

irrespective of whether they satisfy the demographic and economic criteria.

Poverty

The poverty in urban parts of the District is found to be much higher than the poverty level in rural parts of Karur. The Percentage of population below poverty line in the urban population is at 52% percent, while in the rural population it is at 10.2% (Table 82).

Table 82: People Living Below Poverty Line (Rural and Urban)

Karur

Rural

Proportional Population

No of Sample Households

MPCE (Rs) RSE of MPCE

% Poor

Lorenz Ratio(S)

1.8 80 607 10.68 10.2 0.29

Urban

Proportional Population

No of Sample Households

MPCE (Rs) RSE of MPCE

% Poor

Lorenz Ratio(S)

0.9 40 748 9.16 26.2 0.223

MPCE - Monthly Per Capita Expenditure RSE - Relative Standard Error

Literacy Level

Karur district has a high level of literacy. As per census 2011, it was 75.60% of the total population (Table 83 &84)


Persons 7,27,044

Males 4,01,726

Females 3,25,318



Persons 75.60% Males 84.54% Females 66.86%


3.3 Land Resources Land Utilization

The geographical area of Karur is 2,89,901 ha. According to professional survey and also village records, the land use pattern during 2011 is indicated in the following Table 85 &Figure 59.

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Table 85: Land Utilization Pattern 2011

Classification Area in

Hectares

Forest 6187

Barren and Uncultivable uses 2897

Land put to Non-Agricultural uses 35457

Cultivable Waste 67431

Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Land

10779

Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves not included in Net Area Sown

1079

Current Fallows 10322

Other Fallow Land 57241

Net Area Sown 98508

Total Geographical Area 289901


Figure 59: Land Use of Karur District Classification of Soil

Soil types of the area are more important, since they are the main criteria for agricultural production and also for the recharge of groundwater. Different types of soil are derived from a wide range of geological formations. A

soil map of Karur district based on the survey by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Department indicates four different types of soils viz., Red Soil, Thin Red Soil, Red Loam and River Alluvium Soil. The red soils are predominantly seen in

76

Kadavur, Kulithalai, Krishnarayapuram, Thanthoni and Thogamalai blocks. The thin red soils are seen in Aravakurichi and K.Paramathy blocks. Major portion of Karur block is covered by red loom. Details are given in Table 86. Karur

district soil map is given Figure 60.

Table 86: Soil Classification of Karur District

Major Soil Percentage

Red Loam 10% Thin Red Soil 40%

Red Soil 30%

River Alluvium 20% (Source: Tamil Nadu Agricultural Contingency Plan of Erode district – 2013)

Figure 60: Map Showing the Soil Classification in Karur District


Major Agricultural Crops

Major Agricultural Crops cultivated in this district are crops Sorghum,

Groundnut, Maize, Cowpea, Rice, Cotton. The most produced crop is Sorghum and the highest productivity is found in Maize. Details of the Total Production and Productivity are found in Table 87.

Table 87: Production of crops in Karur

Production and Productivity of major crops

Total

Production (tonnes)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Paddy 45.592 3068

Sorghum 11.555 463

Sunflower 6.498 1257

Gingelly 1.922 265

Ground nut 13.846 2215

Sugarcane 655.744 96 (Source: Tamil Nadu Agricultural Contingency Plan of Karur district – 2013)

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Horticulture

Horticulture includes cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants. It also includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design.


Major horticulture crops cultivated in this district are fruit crops like mango, banana, Sapota, Aonla, and guava, vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bhendi,

chillies, onion and tapioca, spices like turmeric, plantation crops like betel vine and medicinal plants like gloriosa.

Horticulture Farms

There are two Horticulture Farms in the District, at Jeenur and Thimmapuram. The Horticultural crop statistics are shown in Table 88a , 88b.


Table 88a: Horticulture Crop Production found in Karur District

S.No. Name of the Crop Area Production(MT) Productivity A Fruits 1 Banana 3457 159022 46 2 Mango 827 4135 5 3 Jack 14 490 35 4 Guava 104 1248 12 5 Sapota 237 6162 26 6 Amla 259 4144 16 7 Lemon 47 470 10 8 Papaya 20 3460 173 9 Other Fruits 9 99 11

Total 4974 179230 --

B Vegetables 1 Tapioca 756 34020 45 2 Onion 215 2580 12 3 Brinjal 224 5600 25 4 Tomato 224 6720 30 5 Gourds 44 660 15 6 Bhendi 218 3270 15 7 Leaf Vegetables 13 234 18 8 Moringa 2070 103500 50

Total 3764 156584 --

78

C Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

1 Gloriosa superba 775 279 0.36 2 Coleus 20 20 1

Total 795 299 --

D Flowers 1 Jasmine 283 2830 10 2 Crossandra 2 6 3 3 Crysanthimum 12 120 10 4 Rose & Jathi 20 160 8 5 Ixora(Utchipoo) 33 330 10 6 Tuberose 27 270 10 7 Others 2 12 6

Total 379 3728 --

Table 88b: Horticulture Crop Production found in Karur District

S.No. Name of the Crop Area Production(MT) Productivity

E Spices and Condiments

1 Chillies 411 411 1 2 Turmeric 223 1784 8 3 Tamarind 96 192 2 4 Curry leaf 1 2 2

Total 731 2389 --

F Plantation Crops

1 Cashew 18 10.8 0.6 2 Betelvine 158 3476 22 3 Cocoa 13 7.8 0.6 4 Bamboo 29 17.4 0.6

Total 214 3428 --

Grand Total 1085 345658 -

Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for normal growth of plants. Water is an important determinant factor for production of crops in agriculture sector. Intensive and extensive cultivation of land depends mainly on the availability of water. Medium and minor irrigation schemes are implemented in the state for augmenting the water supply for agriculture. The various sources of

irrigation are canals, tanks, tube wells, ordinary wells, springs and channels.

The Following Table 89 shows the area irrigated in Karur District.

Table 89: Area irrigated in the district


Net irrigated area 48.1 Gross irrigated area

49.7

Rain fed area 46.3

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Dug wells are the major source of water for irrigation in Karur district, accounting for about 59.97 percent of the total area irrigated in this district. Tube wells accounting for about 9.48 percent of the total area irrigated in this district. Of the net area irrigated, the canal irrigated area is only 29.45 percent. The area irrigated under tank is 1.10 percent.

It is observed that the well irrigation is the highest in Thogamalai block followed by Kadavur block. Canal irrigation is highest in Kulithalai block followed by Krishnarayapuram, Karur and K.Paramathy blocks.

Forest and Wildlife

Forest in Karur District account for 61.87 Km2 (Table 90 & Figure 61).

Table 90: Forest Cover in Karur District– 2011

District Area (Km2)

Moderate Dense (Km2)

Open Forest (Km2)

Change in Area as per previous

Assessment 2009 (Km2)

Shrub (Km2)

Karur 61.87 25 31 0.87 5

(Source: Forest Survey of India – 2011)

Figure 61: Forest Cover in Karur District

Karur District

80

Area of Degraded Forests

As per the Statistics of Conservator of Forests – for the Year 2000, the details of Forest cover decrease is given in Table 91.

Table 91: Area of Degraded forests

District Area (Km2)

Karur 45.90

3.4 BIODIVERSITY

Fauna Species

Karur District is home to many species of Birds. A study of avian species shows that they are in abundance in Amaravathi river banks (wet land) and Uthukarapatty village areas. More than 76 species were recorded belonging to 13 different orders. Species richness and the total number of birds were significantly greater where the Amaravathi river banks zones contained extensive cover of rain forest plants and flowering plants. Fauna species are shown in Table 92, Figure 62 & 63.

Figure 62: Cattle Egret Eurasian

Figure 63: Golden Oriole

Flora Species

Details of horticulture crop production in the district are given in Table 93. Some of the flora species are shown in Figure64 & 65.

Table 92: Fauna found in Karur District

S.No. Common

Name Scientific

Name Status Family

1 Alexandrine Parakeet

Psittacula eupatria R Psittacidae

2 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus R Dicruridae 3 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea R Cuculidae

4 Asian Palm Swift

Cypsiurus balasiensis R Apodidae

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5 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica RW Hirundinidae 6 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus R Ploceidae 7 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocerus R Dicruridae 8 Cuckoo-Shrike Melanoptera R Campephagidae 9 Blue Faced Malkoha Rhopodytes viridirostris r Cuculidae

10 Blue Rock Pigeon

Columba livia R Columbidae

11 Blue–Tailed Bee- Eater

Merops philippinus R Meropidae

12 Brahminy Starling

Sturnus pagodarum R Sturnidae

13 Bronzed Drongo

Dicrurus aeneus r Dicruridae

14 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R Ardeidae

15 Common Babbler

Turdoides caudatus R Timaliidae

16 Common Hoopoe

Upupa epops RW Upupidae

17 Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus RW Falconidae

18 Common Mynah

Acridotheres tristis R Sturnidae

19 Commom Pariah Kite

Milvus migrans RW Accipitridae

20 Common Sandpiper

Actitis Hypoleucos

sW Scolopacidae

Table 93: Flora found in Karur District

Botanical Name Local Name Acacia nilotica Karuvelam Acacia conciana Siakakay Acacia sundra Karungali Adina cordifolia Manja kadambai Aegeratum conyzoides Kattu samanthai Aegle marmelos Vilvam Agave americana Kathalai Anacardium occidentale Munthri Annona squamosa Seethaphalam Atalantia monophyla Kattulemachai Atylosia trinervia Kaattuthovaria Azadirachta indica Vembu Barringtonia acutangula Kadappay Bauhinia malabarica Mantahrai Bauhinia recemosa Athi Bauhinia vauhilli Kattumantharai

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Borassus flabellifer Panaimaram Buchanania lanzan Saraiparupu Bridelaia squamosa Mulvengai Butea parviflora Eottavaraikodi Caesalpinia bonduc Kalichikai Calotropis gigantia Erruku Cassia auriculata Avaram Casuarina equisitefolia Chavuku Chakrusia tabularis Vadivembu Chlosophylum roxburghii Kattuluppai Cipadessa baccifera Savattuchedi Cissus quadrangularis Perandai Clitoria ternatea Sankupushpam Curcuma longa Manjal Cyperus torundus Korai Delonix regia Mayarkonnai Diospyros melanoxylon Thumbai Erythrina variegate Murukku Eucalyptus tereticornis Nilagirimaram Euphorbia antiquorum Kalli Ficus benghalensis Alamaram Ficus recemosa Athi Garuga pinnata Aranelli Hemidiscus indicus Nannari Kydia calcina Vennadi Olea diocea Idli Opuntia elator Sapthakali Piper longum Thippi Samanea saman Thungamunjimarama Solanum pubescens Sundai Solanumm trilobatum Sunnakkai Strobilanthes sp Kurunji Strycnos nuxvomica Etti Sygygium cumini Navalmaram Tamarindus indica Puliyamaram Tectona grandis Thekku Terminalia chebula Kadukkai Thespesia lampas Poovarusu Zizyphus mauritaiana Elandai Bambusa bambos Perumungil

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Figure 64: Gloriosa superba

Figure 65: Coleus

Biodiversity Hotspots

There are no particular Biodiversity Hotspots in Karur District, however the disposal of Industrial effluents along the rivers Amravati and Cauvery will definitely pose a threat to the Flora and Fauna species.

3.5 WATER RESOURCES

Rainfall

Karur gets an average annual rainfall is about 633 mm. The district gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, from late September to mid-November (Table 94).

Table 94: Rainfall of Karur 2011- 2012

Rainfall Average

(mm)

Normal Onset

(capacity week and month)

Normal Cessation

(capacity week and month)

South West Monsoon

(June 11’-Sep 11’) 192

1st week of June

1st week of September

North East Monsoon

(Oct 11’- Dec 11’) 300

2nd week of October

4th week of December

Winter Season

(Jan 12’- March 12’) 26 -- --

Hot Weather Season

(Apr 12’-May 12’) 115 -- --

Annual Total

(June 11’ to May 12’) 633 -- --

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Table 95: Ground water resources in Karur district

Dynamic ground water resources (as on 31.03.2004) in MCM

Annual Replenish able Ground Water Resources 321.45

Total Annual Ground Water Draft for all purposes

220.15

Projected demand for Domestic and Industrial Uses up to 2025

68.5

(Source: District Groundwater brochure Karur District, CGWB)

Ground Water is found beneath the earth’s surface and is an important source of water in most of the Districts in the State. Ground Water is withdrawn for Agriculture, municipal and industrial use. The depth at which the ground water is found is called Ground water Table. The ground water resources in Karur district is given in Table 95.

The district is classified into different blocks based on the ground water abstraction rate (Table 96). Kadavur,Thanthoni Aravakurichi and K.Paramathy blocks has been listed as a Over – exploited as the high rate of water extraction and withdrawal being more than its replenish able limits resulting in decline in ground water levels and drying up of wells.

Table 96: Ground water blocks of Karur District (8 Blocks)

Over-Exploited

(Greater than 100%)

Semi – Critical

(70-90%)

Safe (Less than

70%)

Kadavur Aravakurichi K.Paramathi Thanthoni Karur -

- Krishnaraya

puram -

- Kulithalai - - Thogamalai -

(Source: District Groundwater brochure Karur District, CGWB)


Surface Water consists of all the water/bodies found on the surface, which include streams, rivers, lakes, wetland and the ocean.

Important Surface Water Basins

Karur district is falling in Cauvery river basin as per the Irrigation Atlas of India. The district is divided in to three Minor basins, namely Kulithalai, Amravati and Thiruchi minor basin (Figure 66).

Figure 66: Rivers of Karur District

Drainage

Major part of Karur district is drained by Cauvery River. Amravati, Kodavanar and Pungar are the important rivers draining the western part of the district and the river Pungardrains in eastern part of the district. The drainage pattern, in general, is dendritic. All the rivers are seasonal and carry substantial flows during monsoon period. The river Cauvery is flowing on the northern and eastern boundaries. The river Amravati is flowing through Kparamathi, Aravakurichi, Thanthoni and Karur blocks and joins with Cauvery at Nerur. Odavanar, which is one of the important tributary of Amaravathi River, drains the

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western part of the district. Originating in Rangamalai hills located in the border of Karur and Dindigul district. It flows from south to north and joins with the river Amaravathi at Karuvadampatti.

The Nanganji River, flowing in the western part of the district, has its origin from the Kottaivali hills in Dindigul district. It flows towards north through Aravakurichi and K.Paramathi blocks and joins with the river Amaravathi at Ariyur. The Pungar River, flowing across the eastern part of the district, has its origin in the Kadavur hills located in the southern part of Karur district. It flows towards north through Kadavur and Krishnarayapuram blocks and joins with the river Cauvery at Timmachalapuram.

Rural Water Supply

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board is the Government agency Responsible for providing drinking water supplies to the urban and rural populace in the district.

The water requirements of the habitations are met with either through surface water sources or through various Mini Water Supply Schemes or Integrated water supply schemes utilizing the available ground water resources. The number of Rural habitations are given in Table 97.


The details of inland fishery resources of Karur district is given in Table 98.

Table 97: Rural Water Supply

S.No. Name of towns Population Present water supply

level LPCD

Municipalities

1. Karur 70980 88 2. Kulithalai 27910 95

Town Panchayats

1. TNPL Pugalur 5556 91 2. Krishnarayapuram 10792 70 3. Punjaipugalur 23408 84 4. Pallapatti 30624 56 5. Punjai Thottakurichi 10969 120 6. Uppidamangalam 11292 136 7. P.J.Cholapuram 7484 75 8. Puliyur 12720 80 9. Nangavaram 17629 70 10. Marudur 10925 70 11. Aravakkurichi 12412 70

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Table 98: Inland fisheries details of Karur district

S. No.

District Reservoirs* Inland Fish

culture tanks FFDA tanks

Seasonal tanks Total

1. Karur 138 - 261 1237 1520 3156

(Source: Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Tamil Nadu-2013)

Ground Water Pollution in Karur District

The details of groundwater contamination in Karur district is shown in below table the contaminated sources

of ground water are found to be 1115 out of 3125 samples as per National Rural Drinking Water Programme. The above data shows that there is less ground water pollution in the district (Table 99).

Table 99: Ground water Contamination details in Karur

S.No. Source of Ground

Water Contamination



Percentage (%)

1. Contaminated Sources

3125 1115 35.68

2. Fluoride Contamination

3125 54 1.73

3. Nitrate Contamination

3125 0 0

4. Iron Contamination 3125 30 0.96

5. Fecal Coliform 3125 192 6.14

Surface Water Pollution

River Amravati originates from Kerala/Tamilnadu State border and passes through Coimbatore, Erode, and Karur districts and joins with river Cauvery near Kattali in Karur District. The direction of river flow is from southwest to northeast and the total length of river is 175 km. Shanmuganadhi, Nankanchi and Kodaganar Rivers are the tributaries of Amaravathi. These tributaries join with

Amaravathi at 60, 40 and 20 km upstream of Karur town respectively. The Amaravathi river joins with river Cauvery near Kattali village which is 10 Km downstream of Karur town.

Amravati River is the main source of water for domestic, irrigation and for industrial uses in Karur taluk. Amravati river basin of Karur district, where there is severe impact on river as well as on groundwater quality. The total area of Amravati minor basin of Karur district as

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per State PWD is 1, 46,041 hectares. The river water quality analysis shows that there is a severe pollution to the river. TDS in the upstream of Karur town is 312 mg/L and at the downstream of Karur town is 1456 mg/L and chloride in the upstream is 56 mg/L and at the downstream is 600 mg/L. This variation happens in a distance of about 7km. The reason for such variation is due to discharge of partly treated effluents from bleaching and dyeing units and sewage from Karur town. A sewage treatment plant of 15 MLD capacities for Karur Municipality has been established and commissioned in December 2006.


Tourist Attractions

Picnic spots

Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, Dam and River side park

Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park

Tirumukkudalur - Kaveri, Amaravathi and Noyyal rivers coincide here

Nerur - Sacred muut, Meditation, River side park

Kadavur - Ponnaniyar dam, park

Manthirikonpatty

Museums

Karur Government Museum situated near the Bus stand was established in the year 2000 and is maintained as a place of memory to the ancestors who ruled and lived here. The exhibits in the museum includes various

types of bronze items, metal-ware objects, ancient classical musical instruments, ancient coins(Figure 67), rocks and minerals, fossils from the earth, botanical specimens, molluscan shells, and other marine specimens.

Figure 67: Kollipurai - The Chera inscribed Coin

Pilgrimic Centres

List of Temples

Karur district has many big and old temples.

Shree Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple (Thiru Aanilai), Karur

Shree Abayapradhana Ranganathar Temple, Karur

Shree Karuvur Mariyamman Temple, Karur

Thanthondrimalai Shree Kalyana Venkataramanaswamy Temple

Vennaimalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple

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Pugazhimalai Shree ArupadaiMurugan Temple

Attur Sholiyamman Temple

Vangal Shree Pudhu Vangalamman Temple

Nerur Shree Sadhasiva Bhrameendhraal Temple

Madhukkarai Sellandiyamman Temple

Mahadhanapuram Mahalaksmiamman Temple

Manmangalam Puthu Kaliyamman Temple

KrishnarayapuramTirukkanmalleswarar Temple

Kadavur Vasantha perumal Temple

Kulithalai Kadambar Temple

Kulithalai Neelameegha perumal Temple

Iyermalai Siva Temple

Shivayam Siva Temple

Lalapet Iyyapan Temple (1st Iyyapa Temple in Tamilnadu)

Lalapet Sri Jaya Anjaneya (300 Years Old)

Togamalai Murugan Temple

Rangamalai Malleeshwarar Temple

Vyakarapuriswarar temple, Puliyur - 13 century temple

Mayanur

Mayanur is a famous pilgrimage destination offered by Karur. Mayanur, which lies on the course of River

Cauvery, is located on Karur-Trichy main road (Figure 68).

Figure 68: Mayanur

Pasupatheeswar temple

Pasupatheeswarer temple is one of the chief attractions of Karur. Pasupatheeswarer temple, which dates back to the time of Cholas, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered among the seven Sivalayams or the Sivasthalams or the holy abodes of Lord Shiva in western Tamil Nadu, the others being Thirunanaa (Bhavani) Sangameshwarar temple, Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar temple, Tirumuruga poondi irumuruganathaswamy temple, Tiruppandikodumudi (Kodumudi) and Kodumudinathar temple.

The temple is noted for its five feet high Pasupatheeswarer Linga which is represented by a group of five sculptures. This linga, situated in the sanctum sanctorum, is also shown as being bathed by the milk oozing from the rudder of a cow (Figure 69).

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Figure 69: Pasupatheeswarar temple

Tirumukkudal

Tirumukkudal is a popular pilgrimage destination offered by Karur, which is situated about 4 km away from Walajabad. The name ‘Tirumukkudal’ stands for mukkudal or the union of three sacred rivers - Palar, Cheyyar and Vegavati.

Noyyal

Noyyal village is one of the attractions at Karur. Noyyal village is situated on the banks of River Noyyal and River Cauveri (Ponni). Noyyal village is considered as a sacred area as it lies besides the converging point of sacred rivers, Noyyal and Cauveri.

Noyyal village is also famous for its ancient Sellandiyamman temple (Figure 70).

Figure 70: Noyyal River

Sri Mariamman temple

Sri Mariamman temple is one of the most important temples in Karur. This temple, situated towards the center of Karur, is the 2nd largest Amman temple in TamilNadu.The most auspicious occasion at Sri Mariamman temple is the annual festival which is held during the month of May. In this festival, 'Kumbam' is brought out of the Amman temple, is carried to River Arkavathi, accompanied by a huge procession. This Kumbam is then lowered to the river bed with due respect. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety regardless of religion and caste at Karur.

Archeological Sites in Karur District

List of Archeologically important places in the district are given in Table 99.

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Table 99: List of Archeologically Important Places


Head Sluice Periavoikal Nattuvoikal

Musiri

Korangunatha Temple Srinivasanallur

Rock(Kulithalai) Vaigainallur

(Source: Archeological Survey of India)

Korangunatha Temple

Koranganatha Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Srinivasanallur. The temple was constructed by the Medieval Cholas and is dedicated to the god Ranganatha. The temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) (Figure 71).

Figure 71: Koranganatha Temple


Industrialization and urbanization are both interlinked to each other, with the onset on industries the urban population around that area soon increases. Karur is industrially developed with a high concentration of small, medium scale industries. The town exports textiles worth about Rs.6,000 crore a year.

Some of the major industries that are predicted to grow in Karur district are:

Home Textile Manufacturing

HDPE Monofilament based Industry

Bus Body Building

Gem Cutting Units

Paper and Paper products

Industrialization

No. of Industries in Karur District (Red, Orange, Green)

The following table shows the number of Red, Orange and Green Industries in Karur District. The Industries are categorized by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, based on the varying Pollution levels (Table 100).

Table 100: Number of Red, Orange, Green Industries

S.No. Location

Large Medium Small Total

Red Orange Green Red Orange Green Red Orange Green

1. Karur 14 7 2 6 7 3 776 126 249 1190

(Source: SIDCO, Karur)

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Industrial Areas

The main industrial clusters in Karur are shown in Table 101. Some of

the main industries in the district are given in Table 102.

Table 101: Location of Industrial Clusters

S.No. Name of Industrial

Area

Land Acquired

(In hectare)

Land Developed

(In hectare)

Prevailing Rate Per Sq.m.

(In Rs.)

1. Athur 14.68.73 13.10.17 97.58

2. S.Vellalapatti 10.77.71 9.84.14 155.70

S.No. Name of Industrial

Area No. of Plots

No. of allotted Plots

No. of Vacant Plots

No. of Units in Production

1. Athur 101 101 - 57

2. S.Vellalapatti 26 Plots

6 Sheds

26 Plots

16 Sheds - 39

Table 102: Industries in Karur district

Head Unit Particulars

Registered Industrial Unit No 9168

Total Industrial Unit No 9618

Medium And Large Unit No 10

Estimated Avg. No Of Daily Worker Employed In small Scale Industries

5

Employment In Large And Medium Industries

No 25

No. Of Industrial Area No 2

Turnover Of Small Scale Ind. In Lakhs Rs.5250 Crores

Turnover Of Medium & Large Scale Ind. In Lakhs Rs.1650 Crores

(Source: Industrial Scenario of Karur district)

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Pollution Hotspots

There are no Pollution Hotspots in the District. However there has been pollution from many bleaching, dyeing units by the let off of effluents into the rivers, tributaries.

Status of Number of Vehicles in Karur District

Details of number of vehicles found in the district are given in Table 103.

Air pollution in Karur District

The Air Pollution of Karur District is within the Pollution control Board Limits. Air Pollution has been reported from Cement Industries.

Table 103: Status of Vehicles in Karur District

Name of the

District

Stage

Carriages Mini

Buses

Auto

Rick-

Saws

Ordi-

nary

Taxi

Motor

Cabs Maxi cabs

Omni

Buses

Sp Aip Sp Aip Sp Aip Pub- Pri-

Karur 2003 111 263 130 807 0 272 25 163 6 8 2

Karur 2013 116 167 117 1216 0 537 12 442 6 4 0

(Source: Traffic Department, Tamil Nadu)

From the above data we can see that there is a steady rise in the number of vehicles in the district, this will in turn increase the levels of air pollution due to vehicular emissions.

Sewage Treatment Karur City

The Sewage Treatment plant set up at Karur-Imam. Karur is 15MLD using the Extended Aeration Technology. Sewage when let out untreated into the rivers, lakes is bound to cause pollution.

The total Municipal solid waste generation in the district is around 153 TPD (Table 104). The Solid Waste Management function involves monitoring and management of the activities of Door-to-Door Collection of Municipal Solid waste, Street sweeping, cleaning of open drains, Transporting of Waste, Scientific Treatment & Disposal of MSW, toilets/complexes, etc.

Table 104: Municipal Solid Waste Generation (MT/day) in the state of Tamil Nadu

Compliance status of MSW (M&H) Rules – District wise

District

MSW Generated (Tonnes per Day)

Corporation (C) Municipality (M) Town Panchayat (TP)

Total (TPD)

Karur - 139 14 153

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Maintenance of Waste Collection vehicles and other utilities such as Public. The process also involves keeping track of the amount of waste treated / disposed at the Processing / Disposal site as the case may be. The functions of the Solid Waste Management are sub categorized into the following Components:

Segregation of waste at source.

Collection of waste at the Door-to-Door level including Street Cleansing, Collection of C&D Waste and Cleaning of Open Drains (Nalla de-silting).

Secondary storage of waste

Secondary Collection of waste

Secondary Transportation of waste

Treatment/processing of waste

Disposal of waste

Vehicle Movement.


Main sources of bio-medical wastes are from hospitals. The treatment methods are incineration, autoclave, shredding and deep burial (Table 105).


Details of Hazardous waste generation and disposal in the district are given in Table 106.

Table 105: Biomedical Waste Management in the Karur District

S.No. Name Districts Covered Biomedical Waste

Management Facility

1.

M/s. Ramky Energy and Environment Ltd, Thangayur, Salem District. K.M. Nizat Ahamed Phone No. 0427 - 4041139

Mobile No. 96771 - 22708

Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, Dhannapuri Krishnagiri

Incenirator – 150 Kg/hr – 1 No-500 Kg/Day Autoclave-650 Lt/cycle , Shredder-100Kg/Hr & 50 Kg /Hr


Table 106: Hazardous waste generation and disposal methods

District No. of

industries

Hazardous waste generation(MT) Total

Qty

Hazardous waste Treatment(MT)

Schedule 1

Schedule 2

Landfill Recyclable Incinerable

Karur 61 6396.677 219.02 11246.34 - - 11246.34


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CETPs in Karur District

There are 379 dyeing & 108 bleaching units located in & around Karur town. Of these, 59 bleaching & 332 dyeing units are covered under 8 existing Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), which are treating the trade effluent quantity of 14450 kilo litres through the CETPs. The remaining 49bleaching & 47 dyeing units have provided Individual Effluent Treatment Plants (IETPs) for treating the trade effluent quantity of 1951 kilo litres through IETPs. However, the treated effluent discharged on land and indirectly reaches the River Amaravathi by these CETPs & IETPs.

The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in excess of the 2100 mg/lit prescribed by the board. The discharge of high TDS effluent is the cause for the

environmental degradation in these areas.

Hence the Board has insisted all the units in Karur to install Reverse Osmosis with Reject management System.

Further the Sludge from the CETP has to be disposed via a TSDF facility. Improper disposal of this sludge will lead to Hazardous waste Pollution which is toxic to the Environment.

The details of CETPs are given in Table 107.

Energy Sources

Solar power plants are present in Karur District. Details of quantum of power purchased are given in Table 108.

Table 107: Details of CETPs

S.No CETP Tamil Nadu Capacity

MLD Year of

Establishment 1 Andakovil CETP, Karur - - 2 KS CETP, Karur - - 3 KKEL CETP, Karur 1.3 1999 4 Sellandi Palayam CETP, Karur - - 5 Thiruvai CETP, Karur 2.1 1999 6 Valandi Dyeing CETP, Karur - - 7 Taluk Dye & Bleaching CETP, Karur - - 8 Amaravathi Poll Tech CETP, Karur 2.4 1999

Table 108: Quantum of power purchased (Year: 2011-2012)

Power purchased sectors name

Power purchased in

M.U. M/s TNPL 26.86 M/s EID Parry 76.65 M/s. Chettinad Cement 10

(Source: TANGEDCO, Chief Engineer Distribution, Karur)

Details on rural electrification are given in Table 109. Power consumption in Karur district sector-wise is given in Table 110. Capacities of transformers are given in Table 111.

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Table 110: Power Consumption Sector wise

Sectors Consumption

(M.U) % of the Consumption

Industries 40.61 11.70

Agriculture 27.35 7.88

Domestic 207.80 59.87

Commercial 54.01 15.56

Public lighting & Water Works

17.28 4.97

Sales to licenses 0.00 0.00

Sales to other states 0.00 0.00

Miscellaneous 0.00 0.00

Total 347.05 100.00

(Source: District Electricity Board)

Table 111: Rural Electrification

Electrified during the year

Towns

(1)

Village

(2)

Hamlet

(3)

Agricultural Pumpset

(4)

Karur

Kulithalai

Aravakurichi

87 1131 283

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Table 111: List of Transformer capacity

Name of Stations / Sub stations Capacity (mVA)

Karur 110/11 KV 32

Manmangalam 110/11 KV 20

Manmanglam 110/33KV 16

Pugalur 110/11 KV.SS 20

Andichettipalayam 110/11 KV 16

Andichettipalayam 110/11 KV 16

Malaikovilur 110 /11KV 10

Pallapatti 110/11 KV 26

Puliyur 110/11 KV 20

Vellianai 110/11KV 20

Thanthonimalai 110/11KV 20

Ayyarmalai 110/33-11 KV 57

Chinathamanipatti 33/11 KV 16

Mayanur 33/11KV 10

Thogamalai 33 /11KV 8

Palaviduthi 33/KV 8

Kavalkaranpatti 110/11KV 10

Vallam 33/11 KV 8

Nachalur 33/ 11 KV 8

Panchapatti 110/11KV SS 8

Othakakadai 33/11 KV SS 8

Veappampalayam 110/11 KV 20

Pugalur 230 /110KV 200

Rajapuram (Un Manned) 8

Thalapatty 110/11 KV 20

(Source: District Rural Electricity Office)

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3.8 Eco-sensitive aspects of Karur District


Common Effluent Treatment plants of Textile dyeing units in Karur

Cotton yarn bleaching and dyeing is one of the major industrial activities in Karur Town, Tamil Nadu, India. Out of 487 units, 391 units are member in common effluent treatment plant (CETP). 8 CETPs are in operation.

The remaining 96 units have provided individual effluent treatment plant (IETP). After treatment the effluent is let into Amaravathi River a tributary of river Cauvery. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has directed all the dyeing units to provide Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant with Reject Management System (RMS) and recycle the entire treated effluent so as to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).

The proposed scheme is given below in Figure 72 &73.

Figure 72: CETP Flow Diagram

Figure 73: Location Map of Karur, Tamil Nadu

Erode District

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4.1 INTRODUCTION

Erode District is located in the western part of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is located between 10° 36’ and 11° 58’ degrees of the northern latitude and 76° 49’ and 77° 58’ degrees of the eastern longitude. The district is bounded by Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka to the north and by Kaveri River to the east. Across the river lie Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts. Tirupur District lies immediately to the south, and Coimbatore and the Nilgiris district lie to the west. The headquarters of the district is Erode town. Formerly known as (Periyar district) -Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District before its bifurcation on September 7, 1979 and it was renamed as Erode District in 1996. The taluk map of Erode district is shown in Figure 74.

Figure 74: Map Showing Erode District


Hand loom and textile products and readymade garments industries contribute to the economy of Erode. The people in the district are employed in

various textile, oil and turmeric manufacturing industries.

The present Erode district consists of 5 taluks namely Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Perundurai and Erode. The taluks are further divided into 368 revenue villages.

Erode town is also known as “Turmeric City” as it is one of the largest producers of Turmeric in the World. Paddy, Plantain, Groundnut, cotton, turmeric, coconut and sugarcane are some of the agricultural products. Erode district is also one of the leading producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk in Tamil Nadu. It has a well-loped textile industry. Gobichetti palayamis well known for its white silk production.

The country's first automated silk reeling unit is in Gobichettipalayam. Products such ascottonsarees, bed spreads, carpets, lungies, printed fabrics, towels, dhotis are marketed there.

The district forms the meeting point of Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats separated by Bhavani River. The district comprises a plain, sloping gently towards the Kaveri River in the south-east. Three major tributaries of the river Kaveri are Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravathi which run across the long stretch of mountains in the north. Palar River constitutes the boundary between Erode district and Karnataka in the north. The Bhavanisagar Dam and Kodiveri Dam provide storage facilities and irrigation to the district.

Erode District is the home of Sathyamangalam tiger reserve and the

99

Vellode Birds Sanctuary. These are two important forest reserves with high species diversity.

The growth of the district has lead to some concerning Environmental Problems. The next few chapters will highlight the Environmental Profile of the District.


An official Census of India 2011 giving population detail of Erode, a district located in the western region of Tamil Nadu has been released by Directorate of Census Operations in Tamil Nadu. Enumeration of key persons was done by census officials in Erode District of Tamil Nadu. In 2011, Erode had population of 2,251,744 of which male and female were 1,129,868 and 1,121,876 respectively. In 2001 census, Erode had a population of 2,016,582 of which males were 1,024,732 and remaining 9, 91,850 were females.

Demographic Aspect

Erode district has a population of 2,016,582 according to the 2001 census, which rose to 2,251,744 in 2011 is shown in Table 112. Erode has a density of population of 391 persons per sq. km. whereas the state average is 555 persons per sq. km.

Table 112: Population of Erode district 2011

Persons 2,251,744

Males 1,129,868

Females 1,121,876

(Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu 2013)

Sex Ratio: 993

The comparison of population of Erode district and Tamil Nadu is shown in Figure 75. Erode has a density of population of 391 persons per sq.km.

Erode has a density of population of 391 persons per sq.km whereas the state average is 555 persons per sq.km.

Growth Rate

The population growth rate has increased during 2001-2011 as compared to 1991-2001. In Erode district the growth rate between 2001 and 2011 was 11.66% percent whereas growth rate between 1991 and 2001 was 11.85% percent. The decal growth of population is shown in Table 113 and the density of population is given in Table 114 and Figure 76.


Persons Year Population

Growth (%) 2001-2011 (+)11.66%

Table 114: Density of Population

in Erode

Erode 2011(no.s) 2001(no.s)

391 350 (Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu Source-2013)

Figure 75: Population of Erode

district Vs. Tamil Nadu during 2001-2011

100

Figure 76: Population density of Erode district Vs. Tamil Nadu during

2001-2011

Urban Population

Erode is also relatively more urbanized than the other districts in the state. According to the 2011 Census, 51.43 % of the population of Erode lives in urban areaswhereas the level of urbanization as compared to the state is 48.4 percent (Table 115).

The level of urbanization has increased over the period 2001-2011 and is related to the emergence of major industrial, textile, commercial, educational, information technology, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. In the 2001 census, all statutory towns and places that satisfy certain demographic and economic criteria are treated as urban. All Town Panchayats have been included in the urban frame irrespective of whether they satisfy the demographic and economic criteria.


Erode District

Rural 48.57 %

Urban 43%


Poverty

The poverty in urban parts of the district is found to be much higher than the poverty level in rural parts of Erode. The percentage of population below poverty line in the rural population is at 17.9%, while in the urban population it is at 21.8% and it is shown in Table 116.

Table 116: Status showing Percentage population living Below

Poverty Line

Erode District

Rural 17.9%

Urban 21.8% (Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu –2013)

Literacy Level

As per the 2011 census the literacy level was 72.58% of the total population. This is lower than the state average which is 80.33% (Table 117).


Persons 1,492,662

Males 828,300

Females 664,362 (Source: Statistical handbook of Tamil Nadu-2013)

72.58% of literacy rate was achieved by the successful establishment of government and private educational institutions in the district (Table 118).


Persons 72.58 %

Males 80.42 %

Females 64.71 %

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There are 1698 schools, 17 Arts and science colleges, 13 Engineering colleges, 4 institutions for Pharmacy, 14 Polytechnic colleges, 12 I.T.I and 6 institutions for nursing and teachers found in Erode district.

4.3 LAND RESOURCES

Land Use

The geographical area of Erode is 5,72,264 hectares. According to the professional survey and village records, the land use pattern during 2001-2011 is indicated in Table 119.

Forest Land

In Erode district, an extent of 2,27,511 hectares of land comes under forest land as on 2011-2012. This represents 39% of the total geographical area of the district.

Barren and Uncultivable Land

In Erode district, an extent of 6,270 hectares of land comes under barren and Uncultivable land category, which represents 1.09% of the total geographical area of the state.

Land put to Non-Agricultural Uses

The lands occupied by buildings, roads, canals and land put to uses other than agricultural purposes are brought under this category. Area under this classification is 53176 hectares accounting for 10.76% of the district’s geographical area.

Table 119: Land utilization pattern 2001-2011

Classification Area in Hectares

Total Geographical Area 572264

Forest 227511

Barren and Uncultivable Uses 6270

Land put to Non-Agricultural Uses 53176

Cultivable Waste 1731

Permanent pastures and other grazing land 101

Land under Miscellaneous tree crops and groves not included in net area shown

1029

Current Fallows 80931

Other Fallow Land 18215

Gross Area sown 198874

Net Area sown 183300

Area sown more than once 198874


Cultivable Waste

The total area under cultivable waste is 1731 hectares or 0.35% of the total geographical area of the district. This may be due to non-availability of water resources and man power.

Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Lands

All grazing lands are considered as permanent pastures. An extent of 101 hectares of the geographical area of the district falls under this category.

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Land under Miscellaneous Tree Crops

Lands under casuarina trees, thatching grasses, bamboo bushes and other groves for fuel etc., which are not included under orchards are classified under this category. The extent is 1029 hectares or 0.17% of the geographical area of the district.

Current Fallow Lands

The cultivable lands, which are kept fallow during the entire period under review is known as current fallow. The area under current fallow during 2011-2012 constituted 14.5% of the total geographical area of the district with an extent of 80931 hectares.

Other Fallow Lands

All lands which are taken up for cultivation but have temporarily put off cultivation for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years are treated as other fallow lands. An extent of 18,215 hectares, which is 3.18 % of the total geographical area.

Net Area and Gross Area Sown

Net area sown represents the area sown with crops during the year only

once. 1,83,300 hectares of land constituting 32% was cultivated once with various crops during the year 2011-2012.

The gross area sown represents the total area cultivated under all food and non-food crops including the area sown more than once. The gross area sown during 2011-2012 is 1,98,874 hectares.

The area sown more than once during 2011-2012 is 1,98,874 hectares.

Metropolitan Area

The metropolitan area of Erode district has been expanding. The urban growth of Erode has lead to the conversion of agricultural land for urban land use. The town covers an area of 5692 sq.km. The town area has expanded over the years, presently it covers a part of Bhavani, Modakurichi, Perundurai and Komarapalayam constituencies. The land use break up of Erode for the year 1996 is given in Table 120. The map which highlights the present land use details of Erode district are given in Figure 77 and Figure 78.

Table 120: Land Use Break Up of Erode Town (1996)

Land Use Area in Hectares

% of Total Developed Area

% of Total Area

Residential 483 65.90 57.23 Commercial 133 18.14 15.76 Industrial 60 8.19 7.11 Educational 13 1.77 1.54 Public & Semi public 44 6.00 5.21 Agriculture Wet 17 - 2.01 Agriculture Dry 78 - 9.24 Water Bodies 16 - 1.90

Total 111 - 13.15 Grand Total 844 - 100.00


103

Figure 77: Erode Master Plan Land Use 1996

Figure 78: Erode Master Plan Land Use 2011

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Classification of Soil

Red Loam soil and Lateritic soil are major soil types available in the Erode district. Black loam soil is found in parts of Erode taluk. In this area soil is found to be rather sandy, stony and of the gravelly type. Lime stone is found in abundance in the form of modules, streaks and massive beds of the grey and white color inter branded with igneous rocks. The soil of Erode district is chiefly gravelly, stony and sandy of the red variety. Red loam soil is prevalent in some parts of the town lying adjacent to Kalingarayan channel. It also occurs mostly in the hilly tracts of Bhavani taluk. Soils of Gobichettypalayam and Satyamangalam taluk are mostly of the red sandy variety. The soil classification of Erode district is furnished in Table 121. The soil classification of Erode district is given in Figure 79.

Table 121: Soil Classification of Erode District for the year 2013

Major Soils Area (‘000 ha)

Red clayey soils 142.0

Lateritic soils 114.2

Alluvial soils 145.2

Other soil types 414.8

(Source: Tamil Nadu Agricultural Contingency Plan of Erode district – 2013)

Figure 79: Soil Classification of Erode District


The major income of the district is agriculture; most of the people in the district depend on agriculture.

Major agricultural crops

Major agricultural crops cultivated in the region are Sugarcane, paddy, groundnut, maize and sesame.

The most produced crop is sugarcane and the highest productivity is found in sugarcane. Details of the Total Production and Productivity are found in Table 122. Betel vine and cocoa and flowers like tube rose, jasmine and marigold.

The major horticulture crops are listed in Table 123. The horticulture statistics of Erode district for the year 2013 is given in Table 124.

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Table 122: Production of crops in Erode Year 2012-2013

Production and Productivity ofmajor crops

Total Area (‘000 ha)

Production (Tones)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Sugarcane 41.9 5662523 132000

Paddy 38.3 164230 4139 Groundnut 31.4 47948 1966 Maize 20.4 93571 5548 Sesame 12.1 8676 797

Table 123: Major Horticulture Crops

Name of the crop Area

(‘000 ha) Production

(tones) Productivity

(kg/ha) Banana 10.4 61452 576623 Mango 0.9 5424 5498 Onion 3.4 23282 8393 Chillies 1.1 1036 1048 Kanvazhi Kizhangu (Glory Lily) 0.9 - - Katrazhai (Aloe) - - - Turmeric 7.8 61845 7213 Coconut 19.4 2579 13407


Table 124: Horticultural Crop statistics

Name of the crop Area

(hectares) Production

(tones) Productivity

(Kg/ha)

Fruits 12660 401621 31.72

Vegetables 12246 371964 30.37

Plantation Crops 268 5893 21.99

Spices & Condiments

1375 3700 2.69

Flowers 325 2750 8.46

Medicinal & Aromatic Crops 596 2359 3.96

Total 13578 430192 31.68


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Horticulture contributes much for the growth of Agriculture, the primary sector of the state. The growth of horticulture has expanded rural employment opportunities, increased income and enabled better livelihood to farmers.

Major horticulture crops cultivated in this district are fruits cropslike mango, sapota, aonla, papaya and banana, vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bhendi, tapioca, yam, chillies and onion, spices like turmeric, plantation crops like.

Irrigation

Irrigation is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. The sources of irrigation are canals and wells. Water is an important determinant factor for production of crops in agriculture sector. Medium and minor irrigation schemes are implemented in the state for augmenting the water supply for agriculture. The various sources of irrigation are canals, tanks, tube wells, ordinary wells, springs and channels.

The farmers of the district have to depend heavily on irrigation facilities. Canals under various irrigation projects help to irrigate about 98,805 hectares of land while the wells irrigated 68,570 hectares. The net area irrigated under various sources together constitutes 58.9% area irrigated to total area sown in the district.

The net irrigated area in the district is 166.1 ha, the gross irrigated area is 181.8 ha, Rainfed area is 128.6 (Table

125). The sources of irrigation and the amount of area irrigated are given in Table 126.

Table 125: Total Irrigated Area

Irrigation Area

(‘000 ha) Percent

(%)

Net irrigated area

166.1 60

Gross irrigated area

181.8 62

Rainfed area 128.6 40

Table 126.Sources of Irrigation

Sources of Irrigation

Number Area

(‘000 ha) %

Area

Canals 13 88 50.7

Tanks 21 0.3 0.2

Open wells 121358 66.3 5.2

Bore wells 9905 16.5 9.5

Lift irrigation

- 1.4 -

Other sources

- 2.2 1.3

Total - 173.3 66.5

Pump sets - - -

Micro irrigation

- - -

Forest and Wildlife

The Erode district inhabits Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS), which is a protected area and covers forest area of 1,411.6 km2 SWS is notable as the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and fourth

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Project Tiger, Tiger Reserve in the state. Vellode Birds Sanctuary of Erode District has an area of 77.185 ha. The main vegetation of the sanctuary consists of Acacia nilotica plantation. The Vellode Birds Sanctuary is visited by large number of resident and migratory bird species. The migratory birds start arriving to the Sanctuary at the onset of the Northeast monsoon. A detailed note on list of species is given in chapter 4 Biodiversity.

Forest map of Erode district is shown in Figure 80.

Figure 80: Forest Map of Erode District Important Wildlife

Sanctuaries

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) (Figure 81) is a tiger reserve in the crucial Sathyamangalam Forests of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu India. The undivided Sathyamangalam Forest District (which now stands bifurcated as one Sathyamangalam Division of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Hasanur Division of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve) is very significant as a wildlife corridor in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve between the Western Ghats and the rest of the Eastern Ghats and a genetic link between the four other protected areas which it adjoins,

including the Billigiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Sigur Plateau, Mudumalai National Park and Bandipur National Park. Previously Sathyamangalam was a Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). It was a protected area in India, declared in 2008, and enlarged in 2011, which covers forest area of 1,411.6 km2). This sanctuary covers Sathyamangalam Sub-District and parts of Gobichettipalayam Sub-District of Erode District in the north western Tamil Nadu. Conservation of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division is administered by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) at Erode and the District Forest Officer and Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam Division of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (India)

Flora

The Sathyamangalam forest is mostly tropical dry forest, part of the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests Eco region. There are five distinct forest types: tropical evergreen (Shola), semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, dry deciduous and thorn forests. Evergreen forests are restricted to small patches in a few high altitude hill tops of Sathyamamgalam between 750 metres (2,460 ft) and 1,649 metres (5,410 ft). These patches are threatened on account of land use changing to hill agriculture and plantation crops, including fruit. Semi-evergreen forests are found at high altitude. Mixed and dry deciduous forests are located on middle altitude slopes and the thorn forests are usually found in the foot hills and some times, due degradation of dry deciduous forests, at the middle elevations.

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Significant areas of mixed Shrub land and grasslands support a large population of herbivore.

A list of flora species found in the district is given in Table 127a.

Table 127: Protected areas of the Erode District

Name of the Wildlife

Sanctuary Area in ha

District in which

located

Major animals found

Wildlife (Protection) Act in which

declared

Vellode Birds Sanctuary 77.18 Erode

Spoon bill, teals, pintail ducks, darter

Final notification issued u/s

26A(1) Sathyamangalam tiger reserve 140840.54 Erode Tiger

Figure 81: Sathyamangalam Forest

Fauna

In December 2011, the Conservator of Forests, Erode Circle stated that the SWS is home to at least 28 Tigers which has been confirmed by a camera trapping study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In 2011, it was reported that the Sathyamangalam forest is home to over 850 Indian Elephants, making it the largest elephant habitat in the country.

Vellode Birds Sanctuary

Vellode Birds Sanctuary is an 80 ha (200-acre) sanctuary located in the Erode District in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The sanctuary is about 13 km from Erode Central Bus Terminus on the way to Chennimalai, near Vellode and 10 km from Erode Junction Railway Station, in the south.

The Sanctuary becomes an ideal habitat for the birds, because of the availability of abundant feed in the tank and in the neighboring agricultural fields and plenty of trees for perching and nesting. There are abundant fishes and other aquatic organism present in the tank, which form part of food for many resident birds.

Table 127a: List of flora species found in Erode district

Scientific Name Family Big Trees

Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Asparagus racemosus Willd.

Asparagaceae

Ailanthus malabarica DC. Simaroubaceae Albizia lebbeck Benth Fabaceae Abutilon indicum G. Don. Malvaceae Acacia torta Craib. Mimosaceae Acalypha fruticosa forsskal.

Euphorbiaceae

Acalypha paniculata Miq. Euphorbiaceae Adhatoda Zeylanica Medicus.

Acanthaceae

Alangium salvifolium L. Alangiaceae Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Bauhinia retusa ham Fabaceae Bidens pilosa L Asteraeceae Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth.

Acanthaceae

Cocos nucifera Arecaceae Cassia alata L. Caesalpiniaceae Coffea arabica L. Rubiaceae Cassia hirsuta L. Caesalpiniaceae Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Apiaceae

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Cipadessa baccifera Miq Meliaceae Cryptoelepis buchananii Roem & Schul

Asclepiadaceae

Delonix regia Fabaceae Delbergia paniculata Fabaceae Dalbergia latifolia Papilionaceae Eucalyptus Globus Myrtraceae Eclipta prostrate L. Asteraceae Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton.

Zingiberaceae

Euphorbia antiquorum L. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia heterophylla L Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Fucalvntus tereticornis Myrtaceae Excoecaria crenulata L. Euphorbiaceae Ficus religiosa Moraceae Leucas asDera Spr Lamiaceae Polyalthia longifolia Fabaceae Pongamia pinnata Fabaceae Tabebuia aurea Bignoniaceae Tridax procumbens L Asteraceae Tectona grandis Verbanaceae Zizyphus jujuba Mill Rhamnaceae

Small Trees Holigrama armottiana Caesalpiniaceae Terminalia paniculata Caombretaceae Bombusa arundinaceae Poaceae Clerodendrum viscosum Verbenceae Cycas circinalis Cycadaceae

Herbaceous Climbers Bauhinia phonicia Caesalpiniaceae Acacia pinnata Mimosaceae Mucuna pruiens Papilionaceae Zyzyphus rugosa Rhamnaceae

Shrubs Mussaenda laxa Rubiaceae Strobilanthes spp- Acanthaceae Calamus spp. Palmaceae Ochlandra scriptoria Poaceae Thottea siliquosa Aristolochiacea Abutilon persicum Malvaceae Caesakoubua nunisiudes Caesakoubuaceae Lantana camera Verbenaceae

Herbs Casia tora Caesalpiniaceae Curcuma aromatic Zingiberaceaceae Elephantopus scaber Asteraceae

The sanctuary features thousands of birds coming from various countries, some of which can be easily identified. Some easily found bird species include cormorants, teals, pintail ducks, Pelicans, and Darters (Figure 82).

Other Reserve forests Found in the District

Degradation of Forest

As per the forest survey of India the total degradation of forests in Erode district is around 1km2

Table 128: Reserved Forest Details in Erode Division

Name of the

reserved forest Area in Ha

North bargur 47593.25

South bargur 25145.39

Thamarai karai 3066.55

Palamalai 9434.45

Ennamangalam 2270.66

Nagalur 226.48

Vanavasi 865.9

Gonur 848.72

Pachapalamalai 2113.11

Chinnamalai 769

Chennimalai 679.95

Suryamalai 1676.92

Voitidi 177.84

Vallikaradu 112.68

Kongampalayam 98.32

Arachalur 438.37

Uthiyur 376.21

Dalavaipattinam 131.04

Paeriyamanimalai 387.3

Attamalai 261.73

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Figure 82: Darter Bird

Table 129: Forest Cover in Erode – 2011

District Area

(Km2)

Moderate

Dense

( Km2)

Open Forest

(Km2)

Change in Area as per previous

Assessment 2009-(Km2)

Scrub(Km2)

Erode 8209 1371 366 1 40

(Source: Forest Department – 2013)

4.4 BIODIVERSITY

Sathyamangalam Wild Life Sanctuary

Fauna Species

In 2011, the Forest Department increased the Sanctuary area 169% by adding 887.26 km2 in seven reserve forests of Sathyamangalam Forest Division to the existing wildlife sanctuary spread over 524.34 km2. The largest of additional area was 487.92 km2 from Guthiyalathur and 319.87 km2 from Talamalai reserve forests, thus increasing the total sanctuary area to 1,411.6 km2.

A survey in 2009 by WWF enumerated 10Bengal Tigers, 866 Indian Elephants, 672 Gaurs, and 27 leopards. Four additional species of horned antelope were observed. Other

animals included 2,348 spotted deer, 1,068 Blackbuck, 304 Sambar deer, 77 Barking deer and Four-horned antelope, 843 wild boar, 43 Sloth bear and 15 striped hyenas. According to the bird survey in Sathyamangalam Forest Division in 2011 a total of 230 species of birds were recorded. 20 vultures nests have also been recorded.

Floral Species

There are five distinct forest types: tropical evergreen (Shola), semi-evergreen, mixed-deciduous, dry deciduous and thorn forests. Evergreen forests are restricted to small patches in a few high altitude hill tops. Semi-evergreen forests are found at high altitude. Mixed and dry deciduous forests are located on middle altitude slopes and the thorn forests are usually found in the foot hills. Significant areas

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of mixed Shrub land and grasslands support a large population of herbivore ungulates, the prey of tigers.

Vellode Birds Sanctuary

Fauna Species

A List of Fauna species in Vellode bird sanctuary is given in Table 129a.

Floral Species

The tree species present in the sanctuary includes Azadirachta indica, Palmyra and eucalyptus plantation all along the bund and profuse growth of Prosopis juliflora.

Biodiversity hotspots

Erode district is considered as a biodiversity hotspot. One of the main reasons for this includes the increase in urban growth around forest areas.

4.5 WATER RESOURCE

Erode district comes under the agro-climatic zones of southern plateaus and hills.

Rainfall

The normal rainfall of Erode district is 717mm. The rainfall and temperature data of Erode district is shown in Table 130.

Table 129a List of Bird species in Vellode

Common Name Scientific name Spot-billed pelican Pelecanus philippensis Purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae Teals Anas crecca Pintail ducks Anas acuta Pelicans Pelecanus Darters Anhinga

(Source: Tamil Nadu Forest Department)

Table 130: Rainfall and temperature data for Erode District

Month Rainfall (mm) Temperature ⁰ C Relative

Humidity Maximum Minimum April 2010 31.00 37.60 15.71 64.30 May 2010 64.10 39.17 16.24 65.60 June 2010 39.00 34.61 24.22 66.61 July 2010 69.75 32.44 23.18 68.64 August2010 78.56 32.36 23.15 68.27 September2010 123.50 32.33 22.90 73.40 October 2010 234.98 32.18 22.72 78.48 November 2010 327.10 29.27 21.40 88.50 December 2010 48.80 29.05 19.13 83.05 January 2011 00.80 31.00 17.04 62.05 February 2011 20.00 32.36 18.60 49.27 March 2011 2.50 35.04 20.44 49.00 Total 1040.09 33.12 20.39 68.10


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Figure 83: Mean Annual Rainfall of Erode district

It receives maximum rainfall of 327.10mm in the month of November. It receives maximum rainfall from North East monsoon and South West monsoon. The mean annual rainfall of Erode district is shown in Figure 83.


Ground Water is found beneath the earth’s surface and is an important

source of water in most of the Districts in the State (Table 131).

Ground Water is withdrawn for Agriculture, municipal and industrial use. The depth at which the ground water is found is called Ground water Table. The district is classified into different blocks based on the ground water abstraction rate (Table 132).

Table 131: Ground Water sources

Dynamic ground water resources

(as on 31.03.2004) in MCM

Annual Replenish able Ground Water Resources 769.62

Total Annul Ground Water Draft for all purposes 1268.26

Projected demand for Domestic and Industrial Uses up to 2025

40.07


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Table 132: Ground water Block Classification Erode District (12 Blocks)


100%)

Critical (Between 90 and 100 %)

Semi – Critical (70-90%) Safe (Less than 70%)

- Nambiyur Perudurai Bhavani - - Ammapat Chennaimalai - - Andhiyur Gobichettipalayam - - Bhavanisagar Kodumudi - - Erode Sathyamangalam - - Modakurichi T.N.Palayam - - - Thalaivadi

From the above data most of the blocks are in the Safe zone. Thus there is less abstraction of ground water resources in the District.


Surface Water consists of all the water/bodies found on the surface, which include Streams, rivers, lakes, wetland and the ocean.

Rivers

The main rivers that flow through the district are Noyyal, Bhavani, Amaravathi, Aliyar and Palar. The river Cauvery flows along the eastern border of the district (Figure 84).

Figure 84: Map of Rivers in the District

Most of the rivers and streams drained the district form the tributaries to the Cauvery River. The Bhavani

River, which has its origin in the Silent Valley range of Kerala State, enters the district about 30 km west of Bhavanisagar and flows more or less inan easterly direction and confluences with the river Cauvery at Bhavani town. Moyar river is a major tributary of the river Bhavani. The river Bhavani is tamed by a reservoir namely the Bhavanisagar. The Palar river originating in the south Bargur forest flows in north-easterly and easterly directions. Maniyar Halla, Tatta Halla, Kathala Halla, Yemahatti Halla and Dinnepattipaliam are the important minor tributaries of the Palar river. The Noyyal River draining the southern part of the district has its origin in the Boluvampatty valley of the Vellingiri hills of Western Ghats enter the district flowing from Coimbatore district. The Amaravathi River and its tributaries drain the southern part of the district. It has its origin in Kerala state and passing through the adjoining districts, enters the district at about 5 km south of Salempalayam. The major tributaries to Amaravathi River are the Uppar Odai, Shanmukha Nadi, Nallathangal Odai and Vattamalakkarai. The important streamlets flowing in the northern side are the Bale Halla and Anaikodu Halla, which form tributaries to Suvaranavati River flowing into Karnataka.

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The rural parts of Erode district receive (fully covered) 40 lpcd, while partially covered parts receive 10-39 lpcd (Table 133). Total No. of Rural habitations in the district are 4471.

Details of urban water supply status are given in Table 134,135.

Table 133: Rural Water Supply Erode District

Partially Covered 448 (10-39) lpcd

Fully Covered 3983 (40 lpcd and above)

Urban water supply

Table 134: Urban water Supply in Erode District

S.No. Name of towns Population Present water supply level LPCD

Corporations

1. Erode 157101 109

Municipalities

1. Gobichettipalayam 59523 139

2. Sathyamangalam 37816 135

3. Bhavani 39225 110

4. Punchai Puliyampatti 18967 85

Town Panchayats

1. Kugalar 11753 85

2. Bhavanisagar 7710 169

3. Athani 8430 95

4. Periyakodiveri 12330 81

5. Ammapettai 9677 103

6. Lakkampatti 11716 73

7. Appakudal 10610 104

8. Kodumudi 13225 70

9. Nemugipettai 6791 118

10. Anthiyur 21086 90

11. Chennasamudram 8111 70

12. Nambiyur 16379 90

13. Sivagiri 17979 70

14. Chitthodu 8550 105

15. Kollankovil 11294 106

16. Nasiyanur 10970 137

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Table 135: Urban water Supply in Erode District

Name of towns Population Present water supply level LPCD

Karumandichellipalayam 23868 117

Perundurai 16943 70

Chennimalai 15500 161

Salangapalayam 14702 70

Olagadam 9370 60

Ariyappampalayam 12462 70

Vengampuadur 7632 108

Avalpundurai 11789 70

Jambai 16522 70

Kolappalur 9607 73

Modakurichi 10052 70

P. Mettupalayam 9115 70

Pazur 3870 70

Vellottamparappu 8131 70

Archalur 12034 70

Bathur 7678 70

Kembanaickenpalayam 10308 70

Vadugapatti 10921 70

Ground Water Pollution in Erode District

According to CPCB poor Ground Water Quality has been recorded in parts of the District (Table 136).

Surface Water Pollution

The main sources of surface water pollution arise from textile processing and tannery units that are dumping untreated, toxic effluents in the Bhavani River. According to CPCB, the Kalingarayan Canal Status has to be reviewed for effluents periodically. Leather Tanning Effluent and Textile Dyeing Effluent are some of the main sources of water pollution.

The Biological Oxygen Demand - BOD & TDS values do not conform to the standards and have to be monitored periodically.

Figure 85: Depth of Water Table in the District

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Table 136: Ground water pollution in Erode district

S.No Source of Ground Water

Contamination


No. of Sources

Contaminated

Percentage (%)

1. Contaminated Sources 5256 1522 28.96

2. Fluoride Contamination 5256 22 0.42

3. Nitrate Contamination 5256 1071 20.38

4. Iron Contamination 5256 3 0.06

5. Fecal Colliform 5256 93 1.77


Details of inland fisheries in the district are given in Table 137.

Table 137: Erode District details of inland fisheries

S.No. District Reservoirs* Inland Fish

culture tanks# FFDA tanks

Seasonal tanks

Brackish water area

Total

1. Erode 8030 - 136 95 509 - 8770

(Source: Fisheries Department, Govt of TN • at FRI # tanks under intensive fish culture)


Tourist Attractions – Erode Bhavani is a popular Picnic Spot in erode district.

List of Pilgrimic Centres Erode District Name of the Important Pilgrim Centres (Table 138).

1. Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani

2. Bannariamman Temple, Bannari

3. Erode Mariamman Temple, Erode

4. Chennimalai Murugan Temple, Chennimalai

5. Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi,

6. Vijayapuriamman Temple, Vijayamangalam

7. Pariyur amman Temple, Gobichettipalayam.

Name of the Important Tourist Centres

1. Bhavanisagar Dam, Bhavanisagar

2. Kodivery Annai, Thukkanaiakkanpalayam

3. Bhavani Kooduthurai, Bhavani

4. Periyar Memorial House, Erode

5. Erode Musium, Erode

6. Birds sanctuary, Vellode

7. Cavuey padakuthurai, Kodumudi

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Table 138: List of Pilgrimic Centre

Place Name of the

Pilgrim Centre

Kasthuribagram

Ashram / Community Project Centre, Siva Temple

Kodumudi Pilgrim Centre, Lord Brahma Temple.

Bannarai Pilgrim Centre Mariamman Temple

Jain temple

The temple monument is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (Table 139). Once a flourishing place of worship for the Jains in Kongunadu and said to date back to the 6th Century, the temple is now a neglected stone monument that has suffered the ravages of time. In ancient times, it was thronged by devotees belonging to the Digambar Jain sect.

Table 139: Archeological Sites in Erode District


Jain Temple Mettupudur

Sugrisvara Temple And Tank

Sircar Periyapalayam

(Source: Archeological Survey of India)

4.7. INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION

Industrialization and urbanization are both interlinked to each other, with the onset on industries the urban

population around those areas soon increases.

Erode is one of the most industrially developed districts of Tamil Nadu. Erode has got a high concentration of small, medium and large scale industries. Major Exports include Sugar, paper, Iron and Steel and Reclaimed Rubber. Some of the major industries that in Erode district are:

1. Textile and Garments

2. Weaving

3. Food Products

4. Tanneries

5. Paper

6. Chemical & Rubber

7. Motor Vehicles – Repair

Level of Urbanization in Erode

A detail of the urban population in Erode is given in Table 140.

Table 140: Urban Area of Erode

District Name Percent of

Population in Urban Areas

Erode 51.43%

No. of Industries in Erode District (RedOrange Green)

The following table shows the number of Red, Orange and Green Industries in Erode District. The Industries are categorized by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, based on the varying pollution levels.

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Table 141: No. of Red, Orange and green industries in Erode District

Location Large

Red Orange Green

Erode

9 10 1 Medium

Red Orange Green 8 4 0

Small Red Orange Green 858 161 123

Total 1174

Industrial Areas

The numbers of industrial in Erode district are (Table 141)


Details of Hazardous waste management in the district are given in Table 142.

Pollution Hotspots

Although there is no pollution Hotspots in the District, there have been

many reports of Industrial Discharge into rivers and canals.

The Bhavani River and Kalingarayan Canal are some places where pollution is very high.

Erode District is well known for its textile market having textile dyeing, bleaching, other processing industries. In Erode Taluk, 266 textile dyeing industries and 44 tanneries are in existence. Writ petitions were filled in the Hon’ble High Court of Madras by the public and agriculturists against the textile industries discharging trade effluent into the river Cauvery and Kalingarayan Channel.

Energy Sources in the District

Power consumption in erode district sector-wise is given in Table 143.

Table 142: Hazardous waste management in Erode District

District No of industries

Hazardous waste generation Total

Qty


Schedule 1

Schedule 2

Land fill Recyclable Incinerable

Erode 364 17781.27 2749.56 3806.83 - - 3806.83 (Source: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board-2013)

Table 143: Power Consumption Erode District

Sectors Consumption

(M.U) % of the

Consumption

Industries 703.33 33.68 Agriculture & Huts 740.66 35.47 Domestic 400.42 19.17 Commercial 158.31 7.57 Public lighting & Public Works 76.91 3.68 Sales to licenses 0.00 0.00 Sales to other states 0.00 0.00 Miscellaneous 9.0 0.43

Total 2088.63 100.00

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4.8 ECO-SENSITIVE ASPECTS OF ERODE DISTRICT


Environmental issues are harmful effects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Industrialization and population growth in Erode district lead to many environmental problems which threatens human life. The major types of pollution are Air pollution, Water pollution and Land pollution. Among these pollution types water pollution is a major environmental issue in Erode district. Some of the water pollution problems in Erode district are drinking water contamination, water conservation.

Water Environment

Agriculture is the most important income source of the district. The total cultivated are is 37.89% of the total area. The main irrigation of the district is Bhavani River, which is the second largest river in Tamil Nadu. It begins in the upper region of Nilgiris of the Western Ghats. In the way of Bhavani River, there are many large scale industries such as chemical manufacturers, sugar mills, textile units, tanneries etc., are located in the riverbank and they are using the water from the river and discharging the treated and untreated effluents into the river. The villagers living in the downstream are using the waste for their irrigation, drinking and other domestic activities. It crosses the districts of Coimbatore, Nilgiri and Erode and finally merging with the river Cauvery.

About 150 dyeing units and 20 tanneries are in operation in catchment area are expected to discharge the trade effluent (both treated and untreated) either directly or indirectly through drain.

This has resulted in poor quality and low yield of crops which were irrigated ground water. The increase in the concentration of the dissolved solids in the ground water indicates the mixing of untreated effluent.

Figure 86: Sodium absorption ratio of ground water in Erode district

The above Figure 86 shows the sodium absorption ratio of ground water in different places of Erode. The various water quality parameters like pH, EC, K, Ca, Mg, NaCl, HCO3, CO3 and SO4. It shows that the content of all the elements lies above the permissible limit prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) and high contamination takes place in Engur. Most of the dyeing/leather industries are located in Engur and the contamination in Erode district will definitely affect the agriculture soil in anyway.

Kalingarayan canal of 750 years old travels a distance of about 90 kms from Kalingarayan anicut to

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Avudayaparai. It is 534 foot above sea level where it originates and its sea level is 412.40 foot where it merges with the Noyyal River. It irrigates an area of 15743 acres. It has been in practice to open its water gates for irrigation for a period of320 days from June to April every year. Flow of water in the channel is controlled and regulated by the Public Works Department under the direction of Tamilnadu State Government. In recent times, industrialization and urbanization of this region, especially in and around Erode, led to pollute water in channel. So the channel has undergone considerable changes through its course from 0 km to 90 kms. Surface water quality index calculated on the basis of NSF and alternate method agree well and shows that the canal water being polluted by many textile processing units and tanneries situated on the right bank of the canal.

Ground Water Pollution

The major chemical water quality parameters are pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4, Na, CO3 and HCO3.

As many as 3 out of 20 blocks in the district have been categorized as either ‘Overexploited’. The trend analysis of historical ground water level data also indicates a long-term fall in a part of the district. Based on the factors mentioned, it is inferred that a part of the district could be considered vulnerable to various environmental impacts of water level depletion such as declining ground water levels, drying up of shallow wells, and decrease in yield of bore wells and increased expenditure and power consumption for drawing water from progressively greater depths.

Institutional Mechanism

For Environmental

Management

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5. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Department of Environment (DoE)

The DoE was created in G.O.Ms.No.335, Environment and Forests Department dated 13.10.1995 as the nodal Department for dealing with Environmental Management of the State. It has a mandate to promote environmental in the state. It is undertaken Policy formulation, Environmental Improvement and Monitoring schemes environmental ancilicration and generation of environmental awareness through education and training. The Department is entrusted with the implementation of major projects like pollution abatement in Cauvery System, Pollution abatement in Chennai City waterways, National Lake Conservation Programme and all aspects of Environment other than those dealt with by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Besides implementing major pollution abatement programmed in Tamil Nadu, the Department is also undertaking Eco-restoration programme for the urban lakes viz., Ooty and Kodaikanal and co-ordinates with other Government department’s coastal zone management of the state. The Directorate started functioning at Chennai from 22.03.1996.

Aims & Objectives

• Implementation of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for the abatement of pollution in Cauvery, Vaigai, Tamiraparani rivers and Chennai City waterways.

• Implementation of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) for the abatement of pollution in the selectedlakes.

• To carry out various Environmental awareness programmes school for

students, through National Green Corps (NGC) and Eco-Clubs.

• To enforce the provisions of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.

• To provide web-based environmental information through Environmental Information System (ENVIS) on State of Environment and related issues of Tamil Nadu.

• Preparation of State of Environment (SoE) Report, SoE Atlas SoE Video and Photo Catalogue of Tamil Nadu.

Objectives of DoE

• To ensure that economic growth of the State occurs with sustainable use of natural resources and enhances the quality of environment

• To co-ordinate with the implementing sectors for bringing about of environmental considera tion in the programmes for economic development,

• To provide for improvement in environment services in the urban and rural areas to ensure better environmental standards for the human population,

• To develop streamlined programme for environmental awareness through education and training

Activities of DoE

For performing tasks seven divisions have been created in Directorate of Environment they are 1. Land Use, 2. Solid Waste Management, 3. Water Resources Management, 4. Coastal zone Environmental Management, 5. Impact Assessment, 6. Environmental Audit,

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7.Environmental Education and Awareness.

To achieve these goals the various functions that department is performing apart from Co-ordination of NRCP and NLCP are as under:

1. Director of Environment is the Member Secretary of State Coastal Zone Management Authority and department is fully responsible for implementing Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991, Which is extremely important to project the fragile eco-system of Coastal areas especially in case of Tamil Nadu which has a long Coast line.

2. Preparation of Environmental Status Report taking all those aspects into consideration which have an impact on environment. This will help in formulating better environmental management plans for the state.

3. Preparation of District Environment Profile to establish a bench mark environmental information system and serves as an integrated data bank and to serve as a resource base for identification of critical areas at district level that need priority attention.

4. Spreading environmental awareness through the school students in whole society and with this objective 1200 Eco-Clubs have been formed in all the districts of states.

5. Apart from that Directorate of Environment has also been identified as the Nodal Agency for National Green Corps a Government of India Programme and the project is under implementation atfull swing. Directorate of Environment is the Nodal Agency for taken up “Combating Desertification”.

River Conservation Programme

A. Pollution Abatement in River Cauvery

GoI has approved a programme for pollution abatement in river Cauvery in Tamil Nadu along the most polluted stretches of Erode, Bahvani, Komarapalayam, Pallipalayam and Trichy at a cost of Rs. 3820 lakhs under NRCP in 1996. This is a 10-year project and will be completed by 2005. The programme has been divided into two major schemes viz (a) Core Schemes (b) Non core schemes. The core schemes works include interception, diversion of sewage and establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants. The non-core schemes works include low cost sanitation, River Front Development, Dhobi Ghats and Wood based crematoria etc., The DoE is the Nodal Agency for implementation of this project and facilitate co-ordination among various user agencies and Government. The department is also co-ordinating the river cleaning programme and provision of underground sewerage for abatement of pollution in Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Karur, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai at an estimated cost of Rs.575.00 crores. Besides pollution abatement in coastal towns of Tiruchendur and Rameswaram is being taken up at a cost of Rs.18.00 crores. These works are being executed through various agencies such as CMWSSB, TWAD Board, PWD and the local bodies.

Water Quality Monitoring

As the success of the pollutionabatement programmes is measurable only in terms of improvement of water quality in the post project period, a water quality

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monitoring programme for monitoring surface water, sediment and Drain has been approved at a cost of Rs. 34.83 lakhs and entrusted to the Environmental Sciences Department, Bishop Heber College, Trichy for Research at Post Graduate level. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi has sanctioned Projects for revival of Ooty and Kodaikanal Lakes under National Lake Conservation Plan with 100% financial assistance. Environmental upgradation by bioremediation of Ooty Lake has been taken up and completed by Tamil Nadu water Supply and Drainage Board and PWD during 2005.

Though the remediation was successful, in view of the continued letting of sewage water in the intervening period, the quality of water has once again deteriorated and is not up to the standard now. On seeing reports about the deterioration of the quality of water in this lake as well as in some other waterbodies, the Hon’ble Chief Minister directed that all the polluted water bodies especially the Ooty lake must be cleaned up immediately on a war footing and maintained without further pollution. As per the instruction of the Hon’ble Chief Minister detailed discussion were held with concerned departments and it was proposed to implement a detailed action plan with multi sectoral approach to clean up and revive the lake on a permanent basis. Under EPRED fund a sum of Rs.4.27 Crores has been sanctioned for carrying out the following works to revive Ooty Lake (Table 144).

Also a sum of Rs.50.00 lakhs has been given as one time contribution to the Lake management Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of District Collector, Nilgiris.

The District collector, Udaga mandalam has proposed to adopt Submersible micro diffuser aeration system as adopted in Nainital lake and other lakes in this country at a cost of Rs.9.00 Crore with the savings available in Hill Area Development Programme. For maintaining the lake to its standard after the completion of the above said work, the co-operation of public is also expected. The works under revival of Kodaikannal Lake are being implemented by Tamil Nadu water Supply and Drainage Board, Public Work Department and Kodaikanal Municipality.

Public Interface

Environmental Awards

• Environmental Awards for the exemplary works done in Environmental Management, Environmental Education and Environmental protection are given to selected NGOs and Researchers on World Environment Day every year. This is to motivate such organizations/ individuals to excel in the area of environmental conservation.

• One public Grievance Cell has been formed at the Directorate of Environment, headed by Deputy Director (EIA) which will take care of public concerns and petitions regarding environmental issues.

• Department of Environment is launching a new interactive website on environmental issues, which will take the department closer to the people by putting environmental statistics, CRZ Notification, maps etc that can be accessed from any part of the state and will be of immenseuse to environmental researchers.

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Table 144: Department wise work with cost

Department Type of work Cost Rupees

in Crore

Public Works Department

Adopting Bio-ozolite technology for treatment, pilot study, De-silting, Diffuser-4 Nos. and Nano Bio –Remediation

3.75

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board.

Installation of 20 HP Non clogging submersible Pump

0.07

Municipality Installation of 100 HP Pump set for sewage pumping and Generator(100kva)

0.45

Total 4.27

• News Letter and Environmental Publications: The DoE has been publishing quarterly News Letter with all the latest information and happenings in the field of environment. It has also published 37 environment related publications. Apart from that DoE has brought out a compendium, which gives district wise details of 262 NGO’s that are working in the field of environment in Tamil Nadu.

Central Pollution Control Board

Action Plan for controlling air pollution.

(a) Industrial pollution

The salient features of actions taken to control industrial pollution

Organised inventories of all the polluting industries.

Control of industrial emissions and ensuring compliance to standards

Identification and closure of clandestine /unauthorised industrial operations

(b) Domestic pollution

The salient features of actions taken to control domestic pollution:

Notification for banning of open burning of garbage.

Promotion of use of LPG as domestic fuel instead of burning coal and wood

(c) Vehicular pollution

The salient features of actions taken to control vehicular pollution:

Vehicular emission inventory has already been completed.

Notification and implementation of vehicular emission norms as per road map notified by the Government of India.

Improvement in the fuel quality to match with the prescribed emission norms.

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Introduction of low benzene (five per cent) gasoline.

Introduction of low sulphur (0.25%) diesel.

Introduction of pre-mixed 2-T oil and expanded the pre-mixed outlets.

Stricter drives to check adulteration of fuel.

Restriction of movement of goods carriers in urban areas # Imposed restrictions on movement of local goods carriers during peak hours

National Air quality Monitoring Programme (NAPM)

The Central Pollution Control Board is executing NAPM with a network of 332 operating stations covering 121 cities/towns in the country.

The objectives of the NAPM:

To determine status and trends of ambient air quality.

To ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated.

To obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures.

To understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind based movement, dry deposition, precipitation and chemical transformation of pollutants generated.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981

Government of India enacted the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 to arrest the deterioration in the air quality. The act prescribes various functions for the Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB) at the apex level and state pollution control boards at state level. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The ambient air quality standards (Table 145) are pre-requisite for developing management programme for effective management of ambient air quality and to reduce the damaging effects of air pollution. The objectives of air quality standards include:

To indicate the levels of air quality necessary with an adequate margin of safety to protect the public health, vegetation and property.

To assist in establishing priorities for abatement and control of pollutant level

To provide uniform yardstick for assessing air quality at national level

To indicate the need and extent of monitoring programme.

Lake Restoration by Coimbatore Municipal Council

Several lakes in the City have been restored.

Environmental Awareness

Environmental awareness is one of the primary objectives of the DoE. The awareness programmes are directed towards specific target groups like school students. In this direction, the

126

formation of Eco clubs started with 3 riverine districts of Erode, Trichy and Namakkal in 1998. Subsequently Eco-clubs were formed in all the district of state of Tamil Nadu by the end of 2001-2002. At present, 1260 Eco clubs are functioning all over the state carrying the message ofenvironmental awareness along the length and breadth of the state. Directorate of Environment

has been identified as the Nodal Agency for National Green Corps, a Government of India sponsored programme to propagate environmental awareness by this year. About 2900 school eco-clubs have been formed at 100 per district. The project is under implementation and receiving over whelming response from all corners of State.

Table 145: Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutants Standards

Industrial, Residential, Rural and Other Area

Ecologically Sensitive Area

Sulphur dioxide (µg/m3) 80 80 Nitrogen dioxide (µg/m3) 80 80 Particulate Matter/ PM10 (µg/m3) 100 100 Particulate Matter/ PM2.5 (µg/m3) 60 60 Ozone (µg/m3) 180 180 Lead (µg/m3) 1 1 Carbon Monoxide (µg/m3) 4 4 Ammonia (µg/m3) 400 400 Benzene* (µg/m3) 5 5 Benzo(a) Pyrene* (ng/m3) 1 1 Arsenic* (ng/m3) 6 6 Nickel* (ng/m3) 20 20

* Annual measurement

Committee on Impact Assessment and Bio Medical Waste

In tune with Government of India notification on Environmental Impact Assessment, an Expert Committee hasbeen constituted with the main thrust on Environmental Impact Assessment, carrying capacity etc.,

Certain Major Power projects etc., are subject to scrutiny by this committee before recommending the same to the State Government for according Environmental Clearance.

Objections if any raised by the public will be given due regarded by conducting public hearing on New Projects.

An Advisory Committee on Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules 1998 is functioning with the Secretary to Government, to oversee the implementation of the provisions of the Rules.

Envis Emcpta Project

The Environmental information system is a World Bank assisted project of the Ministry of Environment and Forests of Government of India (GOI) to facilitate generation and dissemination of information on various facets of Environment. The ENVIS-NODE located at the DoE is function form 29th June 2002. The node at Chennai will collect and disseminate environmental information of Tamil Nadu.

127

Objective of the ENVIS Node

Creation of web based database on the state of Environment of Tamil Nadu with local language interface.

Acting as a clearing house to answer environmental queries

To establish linkages with environmentalists, researchers, NGO’s students and public at large.

ENVIS Node of the Department of Environment will also work on preparing Environmental Status Report of T.N and creating a database on River Cleaning projects and Biodiversity of Tamil Nadu. In the Tenth Five Year Plan Rs.113.05 crores have been approved by the Planning Commission as State Government component apart from Rs.1053 crores proposal for Central Government component to carry out different environmental activities through the DoE.

Environmental Management Agency of Tamil Nadu (EMAT)

EMAT will assist the DoE for effective implementation and closer monitoring of River Cleaning Programme under National River Conservation Project (NRCP) and National Lake Conservation projects. The functioning of EMAT is as follows:

Functions of EMAT

Implementation of River cleaning programmes under NRCP.

Liaison with National River Conservation Directorate, MoEF and get funds from Government of India for the projects distribute the same among various user agencies.

Getting the progress reports from different user agencies for NRCP,

consolidating and submitting the same to GoI.

Receiving the proposals from user agencies for NRCP scrutinizing them both form user technical and financial point of view and submitting them to Government of India.

Co-ordination with Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, Public Works Department, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Municipalities, Corporation of and NGO’s in smooth implementing of ongoing schemes.

Implementation of new Lake Conservation Programme under National Lake Conservation Project.

Co-ordination among various user agencies, Government of India and State Government for smooth functioning and effective monitoring of NLCP in Tamil Nadu.

Coastal Zone Conservation

Implementation of Environmental Awareness Programmes with the help of NGO’s for NRCP, CCRCP and NLCP projects.

Being an autonomous agency it will facilitate more effective net working with Government and NGO’s and also attract more funds from Government of India for better implementation of project.

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), established in 1982, enforces environmental legislated in the state it

128

functions with Head Office at Chennai, and other District Offices. To assist in the Analytical and Scientific side, the Board has established three Advanced Environmental Laboratories, six District Environmental Laboratories and three Mobile Environmental Laboratories. TNPCB is implementing the Pollution Control Legislations and Rules and Notifications framed there in. In discharging the duties entrusted to it, the Board investigates collects and disseminates data relating to water, air and land pollution, lays down standards for sewage/trade effluent and emissions. Tamil Nadu Pollution Board has classified the industries as per their pollution load for effective monitoring as follows (Table 146).

Activities of TNPCB

TNPCB issues consent to new industries in two stages, i.e., consent to establish depending upon suitability of the site before the industry takes up the construction and consent to operate, after installation of pollution control measures to satisfy the standards. TNPCB is taking effective steps for safe disposal of hazardous wastes and has completed the inventory of hazardous waste generating units and also identified sites for disposal of hazardous wastes. TNPCB is creating environmental awareness in the state (Table 147 & 148).

Table 146: Classification of Industries as per Pollution Load and

frequency of monitoring

Classification Category Periodicity

of Monitoring

Red(Highly Polluting)

Large Once in a month

Medium Once in 2 months

Small Once in 3-4 months

Orange (Medium Polluting)

Large Once in 2 months


Small Once in 4 -6 months

Green(Less Polluting)

Large Once in 2 months


Small Once in Year

Legislation of Government of India on Environmental Protection

Government of India enacted the following legislations towards protection of environment.

1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, as amended in 1978 and 1988.

2. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act 1977, as amended in 1991.

3. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, as amended in 1987.

4. The Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

a. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989.

b. Manufacture, Storage and import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989.

c. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991.

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d. The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 1994, as amended in 1997.

e. The Bio Medical Waste (Managementand Handling) Rules, 1998.

f. The Recycled Plastics, Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1998.

g. Use of Fly ash from Thermal Power Plants, Notification, 1999.

h. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and control) Rules, 2000.

i. Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.

Table 147: Various functions of the Board

Various Branches

Of The Board

Activities Of TNPCB

Head Office at Chennai

Overall Control of all Board

Offices & Laboratories

Technical/Consent Wing

Complaint Cell Legal Wing Hazardous Waste Management Cell

Emergency Response Centre

CETP section

Planning and Develop. Section

Monitoring of highly Polluting Industries

Environment Awareness Cell

Environmental Training Institute

Ozone Monitoring Cell NGO Cell

Table 148: Activities of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

Activities

Issue of Consent to establish

a) Under Water Act b) Under Air Act

Issue of Consent to operate

a) Under Water Act b) Under Air Act

Legal Actions

a) Show cause Notices

b) Closure orders

c) Cases filed under Water Act

d) Cases filed under Air Act

Common Effluent Treatment Plants

A. CETPS formed for

a. Tanneries

b. Textile Dyeing

c. Hotels

d. Hospitals

Vehicle Emission Monitoring

a) No. of Stations

b) No. of Tests done

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

a. Chennai

b. Coimbatore

c. Tuticorin

d. Madurai

e. Salem

River Monitoring

a) Chennai city water ways

b) Cauvery

c) Tamiraparani

d) Palar

e) Vaigai

References

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LIST OF REFERENCES

1. Census of India, 20112. National Human Development Report 2001 & Tamil Nadu Human Development Report3. Deputy Director of Statistics, Coimbatore4. Directorate of Town and Country Planning - Coimbatore City Master Plan 20025. Senior Agricultural Officer, Soil Survey and Land Use Organization, Coimbatore.2012-2013

6. Agriculture Contingency Plan – Coimbatore-20137. District Groundwater brochure Coimbatore District, CGWB8. Forest Department – Coimbatore 20139. The Chief Engineer, State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre &TWAD-200810. Institute of Water Sciences, Taramani11. http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/coim_dist.aspx12. Fisheries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu13. National Rural Drinking Water Programme Testing 201014. Archeological Survey of India15. http://www.tnpcb.gov.in/pdf/tnpcb_you2013.pdf16. Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) , Coimbatore17. Central Pollution Control Board, Zonal Office – Bangalore18. Traffic Department, Tamil Nadu- 2013

19. TANGEDCO, Chief Engineer Distribution, Coimbatore region, Superintending Engineer,Kadamparai Generation Circle. Minparai Year 2011-2012

20. http://www.census2011.co.in/census/district/33-tiruppur.html21. Deputy Director of Statistics, Tiruppur22. http://agricoop.nic.in/Agriculture%20contingency%20Plan/TN/TN15Tiruppur%203.2.2011.pdf23. Forest Department – Tiruppur 201324. http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/tiruppur_dist.aspx25. Small Industrial Development Corporation, Tiruppur, 201326. http://www.tnpcb.gov.in/pdf/tnpcb_you2013.pdf27. Public Private Partnership: Tiruppur Water Project, case study, October 2013

28. Case Study on ZLD – The Tiruppur Textile cluster experience, January,2014,Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company Limited,

29. http://www.tn.gov.in/population/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/district/35-karur.html30. http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/TamilNadu/Karur.pdf

31. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai – 15 (Compendium of EnvironmentStatistics Tamil Nadu – 2000 by Statistics Department

32. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, Studies on the Abundance and Distributionof Birds in Different Habitats of Karur District-2011

33. District Groundwater brochure Karur District, CGWB34. http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/karur_dist.aspx35. http://www.tnpcb.gov.in/pdf/tnpcb_you2013.pdf36. Annual report of Erode district (2010-2011)

http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/coim_dist.aspx

http://www.tnpcb.gov.in/pdf/tnpcb_you2013.pdf

http://agricoop.nic.in/Agriculture%20contingency%20Plan/TN/TN15Tiruppur%203.2.2011.pdf

http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/tiruppur_dist.aspx


http://www.tn.gov.in/population/

http://www.tn.gov.in/population/

http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/TamilNadu/Karur.pdf

http://www.twadboard.gov.in/twad/karur_dist.aspx


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