The once picturesque Sigurhalla River, that used to flow perennially into the Sigur plateau, may once again be restored to its former glory, with plans by the Forest Department to ensure that water flows in the stream throughout the year.
The Forest Department, after consultations with environmentalists, has planned to restore natural water flows to the Sigurhalla river, with the expectation that such a move will have a beneficial effect for the animals that inhabit the Sigur plateau, including those in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
S. Kalanidhi, District Forest Officer (Nilgiris North Division), said that the department will send a proposal to the government whereby the entire stretch of the river would be restored. “We will first desilt and repair the check dams along the stretch, while we will also approach the TANGEDCO and request them to ensure that minimal amount of water is released everyday from the Kamaraj Sagar Dam to ensure that water constantly flows throughout the course of the river,” he said.
Indeed, the Sigurhalla river used to host many endemic fish, mammal and reptilian species, providing an ideal habitat for river otters and mugger crocodiles before the Kamraj Sagar Dam was built in 1970s. As the TANGEDCO began storing water in the dam for power generation purposes, the river gradually dried up, eventually becoming a seasonal stream that used to burst into life during the monsoons, while turning completely dry for up to four months each year.
M. Santhanaraman, a lawyer in the Madras High Court, an additional government pleader for forests and an environmentalist, had along with Jean-Philippe Puyravaud, an ecologist with the Sigur Nature Trust, drawn up a report on the importance of the river.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Santhanaraman, said that the source of the river was at Sandynallah, and that the river flows for around 30 km from its source before joining the Moyar in the Sigur plateau.
“The riverine forests that exist on both sides of the river are dependent on the river. If the Sigurhalla flows permanently throughout the year, then the carrying capacity of the forests would increase as animals will not only have more water, but enough fodder to consume as well,” said Mr. Santhanaraman.
Such a measure could have a tremendously positive effect, said Mr. Puyravaud. “What researchers across the world have realised is that there needs to be a minimal flow of water along a river to maintain local ecosystems. If the Sigurhalla is restored, then water tables will increase, there will be more green fodder, and as a result, fewer conflicts between wildlife and people,” said Mr. Puyravaud.
A district-level committee is to be formed to restore the river, with either the District Forest Officer or the Collector elected to head it. Mr. Santhanaraman said that once the Sigurhalla is fully restored, there will be steps taken to identify other such perennial rivers and streams that can be restored.
Feasibility study
On Sunday, Nilgiris District Collector, P Sankar, along with the District Forest Officer (Nilgiris North Division), S Kalanidhi, as well as environmentalists and NGOs walked the course of the river from the Sigur bridge to study the feasibility of restoring the river.
Officials discussed measures to be taken to ensure that water flows throughout the year, including whether boulder dams can be built. Officials said that a report would be submitted after officials study the importance of the river to local wildlife and the effect its resurgence would have on improving green cover and the groundwater table.
