Coimbatore City Round Table 31 and Coimbatore City Ladies Circle 16 – both are reputed NGOs working towards the welfare of Coimbatore city in various sectors, recently initiated the Mariamman Temple Check Dam, Kovaipudur restoration project.
It is the first pond restoration project of Round Table India & Ladies Circle India. The reviving project was executed by water conservation leader Siruthuli.
This endeavour is backed by the Stalwart Group of Companies and the project was inaugurated on 24th December 2024, in the presence of Vetriselvan, Deputy Mayor, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation; Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee of Siruthuli; Lakshmiganth Krishnan, Chairman, Coimbatore City Round Table 31 and Vidhya, Chairperson, Coimbatore City Ladies Circle 16.
Lakshmiganth Krishnan shared that this check dam is 1.5 acres long with a total capacity of 8000 cubic metres and 80 lakh litres. Nestled between Arivozhi Nagar and Kovaipudur, the check dam lies along a stream originating from the Western Ghats.
This region, grappling with rapid urbanisation, has faced a severe water crisis. Borewells in Arivozhi Nagar and Kovaipudur ran dry, even at depths of 1,000 feet, highlighting the dire need for effective water conservation measures, he shared.
Over time, the existing check dams in the area had fallen into disrepair, unable to retain rainwater, which flowed downstream without replenishing groundwater reserves. This left the land parched and borewells unproductive.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Siruthuli, Coimbatore City Round Table 31 and Coimbatore City Ladies Circle 16 undertook the rejuvenation of the Mariamman Temple check dam, Lakshmiganth Krishnan added.
Siruthuli initiated the desilting and restoration on October and as of today, it has already filled thrice and contributed by storing and recharging 24 Million litres of water.
He mentioned that saving water and sewage treatment is the most important need and necessity that we all need to come together and work on and thanked Siruthuli for executing it on time at a cost of Rs.9.22 lakh and thanked Christopher Arvinth, Managing Director, Stalwart Group of Companies for this benevolent contribution.
Vanitha Mohan, mentioned that this pond will help recharge the groundwater level in a short time and cater to not just the humans, but the birds, trees and animals.
“We plan to undertake plantations around the check dam and desilt multiple upstream structures to further enhance water conservation,” she said.
Others who participated in the event include Koushik, Area Vice Chairman and Vishnu Prabhakaran, National Secretary.
