Nagercoil: A seminar on the status of tanks was convened here by environmentalists attached to various non-governmental organisations on Saturday.

Most of the tanks of Kanyakumari district were full of weeds which reduced their capacity and promoted evaporation of water resources of Kanyakumari district intended for irrigation and drinking water purposes.

City lakes with an expanse of 10 hectares or more are likely to be declared as ''heritage'' water bodies.

A State Government notification to the effect is just is imminent, with the Byramangala, Bellandur, Varthur and Madivala lakes to be given this tag in the first phase.

The main objectives of the scheme are: Comprehensive improvement of selected tank systems including restoration; Improvement of catchment areas of tank; Community participation and self-supporting system for sustainable management for each water body;

Tirupur: The Public Works Department (Water Resources Organisation) will strengthen the Aandipalayam, Mangalam and Sammalapuram irrigation tanks situated in the city outskirts and its supply channels at an estimated outlay of Rs. 90 lakh.

NAMAKKAL: The Kamalalayam tank, located near the historical Namakkal fort here, is once again turning into giant lavatory as the authorities concerned have failed to take up regular maintenance works.

The district administration had sanctioned liberal funds two years ago to improve the surroundings of the tank and planned to turn this water body into a tourist place.

Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said that emphasis should be laid to inter-linking at least two tanks in every gram panchayat under NREGS scheme.

DINDIGUL: The idea of interlinking all tanks has been gaining momentum as the district administration has identified four villages, Ulliakottai, R. Kombai, Vadugambadi and Mallapuram, in Gujiliamparai union, one of the grey areas in the district, to implement it as a pilot project.

As many as 124 tanks have been rejuvenated under Community-based Tank Management Scheme of Watershed Department, in a span of seven years.

This study makes an attempt to examine analytically to prove how tank rehabilitation is useful for both direct (farmers) and indirect (landless, poor, women and other vulnerable group) tank users. The tank systems have provided insulation from dependence on rains to the people living in the fragile rainfed areas.

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