Water Resources Department launches invasive plant removal from Palar River tanks

The Water Resources Department has begun systematic removal of invasive plant species from irrigation tanks distributed along the Palar River in Vellore district. The invasive vegetation poses a significant challenge to water management in the region, with officials reporting substantial accumulation rates in storage facilities.

According to WRD data, invasive plants grow at an average density of approximately 15 tonnes per acre in the irrigation tanks. This rapid proliferation reduces the effective water-holding capacity of the tanks and hampers irrigation operations, necessitating regular clearance operations.

The removal initiative is part of the department's ongoing efforts to maintain the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure across the district. The cleanup drive will help restore tank capacity and ensure optimal water availability for agricultural activities in the region.

Water resource management officials have indicated that such removal operations will be conducted periodically to prevent the recurrence of invasive plant growth in the irrigation network. The measure is expected to benefit farmers dependent on these tanks for irrigation purposes.