Tenkasi officials demolish artificial waterfalls to restore wild stream flow to irrigation tanks
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Species, protected areas & wetlands· Prelims·
Hydrological integrity and regulatory enforcement in ecologically sensitive zones: a GS3 Environment and Ecology case study.
Why in news
Tenkasi district officials began demolishing illegal artificial waterfalls to restore the natural flow of wild streams from the Western Ghats following a Madras High Court order.
Background
District Collector Ranjeet Singh and Sub-Collector Vaishnavi Paul led the demolition of concrete walls in Tenkasi. The action follows an inspection of 29 resorts and bungalows by committees to address illegal stream diversions affecting irrigation tanks like Paimpozhil.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceWestern Ghats: The mountain range from which wild streams were being illegally diverted.
- Fact29 resorts and bungalows were inspected by committees following a Madras High Court order.
- PlacePaimpozhil: An irrigation tank in Tenkasi whose water flow is being restored.
Prelims practice question
Which irrigation tank in the Tenkasi district is being restored by reviving the natural flow of wild streams?
- (a)Mettur
- (b)Idukki
- (c)Paimpozhil
- (d)Kuttanad
Show answer
Answer: (c) Paimpozhil — The note specifies that Paimpozhil is the irrigation tank in Tenkasi whose water flow is being restored.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the ecological and socio-economic implications of illegal water diversion in ecologically sensitive zones like the Western Ghats and suggest measures for sustainable water management.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Ecological degradation: Disruption of natural hydrological cycles and downstream irrigation water availability
- Regulatory oversight: Weak enforcement of environmental laws against private resort developments in biodiversity hotspots
Keywords: Hydrological integrity · Ecologically sensitive zones · Sustainable water management · Regulatory enforcement · Biodiversity conservation
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.