Representational image
(Madhusudhan R/BCCL)
Tamil Nadu social activists and environmentalists have spoken out against Anakkatii’s poor construction that collapsed under the recent torrential downpours.
The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), funding approximately Rs 8 lakhs, funded the construction of the check dam using the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme – (MGNREGS).
K. Kalidas (founder of Osai), a Non-Governmental Organisation that is active in conservation of the environment, stated to IANS: “The work was done in a hurry and the money was not properly utilised as there was no chance of such a check dam collapse it rains if all the money was properly used. Poor quality materials are what led to the collapse of the dam in just a few months. This should be investigated.
According to an environmentalist, check dams should be built to stop perennial streams from free flowing. Additionally, the dam should be constructed in a way that allows for the movement of aquatic and micro organisms to continue.
K. Mohanraj, an environmentalist, stated that the construction and maintenance of check dams is against scientific management of wildlife. He also stated that an audit should be conducted on all the check dams in Tamil Nadu built over the years.
Mohanraj said to IANS that ninety-five percent of the check dams in Tamil Nadu were constructed under various schemes. This is a major failure. Government officials insist on building such check dams. They are inefficient and a drain on taxpayer’s funds. We need to restore streams. The revival of streams is a return to biodiversity.
IANS was assured by a Periyanaickanpalayam Block officer that the work was done perfectly. The check dam’s wall was still a problem due to the incessant rainfalls. He also stated that the contractor in question would complete the maintenance work and that there was nothing to be concerned about.
The office of the Tamil Nadu environment minister was not available for comment.
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The headline and text of the above article were published by a wire agency.
