The Rajapalayam Local Planning Area (LPA), encompassing the municipality, 15 nearby revenue villages, and two reserved forests, spans about 149 square km. Within this area lie 42 traditional water bodies, locally known as kanmais, which collectively cover a little over 13% of the LPA. These historic irrigation tanks are pivotal to the region’s identity and infrastructure. They regulate monsoon flows, recharge groundwater, support agriculture, sustain wildlife, and preserve biodiversity. Beyond their functional value, kanmais are cultural landmarks, woven into Rajapalayam’s natural landscape and heritage. Restoring these water bodies delivers multiple tangible benefits to Rajapalayam: enhanced water security through improved groundwater recharge; mitigation of urban flooding; expanded green corridors and biodiversity; improved public health via reduced waterborne disease risks; and strengthened climate resilience. Moreover, revitalised kanmais actively capture carbon, contributing to the LPA’s low-emission goals aligned with its net-zero target for 2041.
Recognising their ecological and social importance, the Tamil Nadu government has proposed restoring 13 key kanmais within Rajapalayam’s LPA. Restoration efforts typically include desiltation, removal of invasive species like water hyacinth, cleaning up sewage inflows and garbage, desilting sluices and bunds, and strengthening embankments. Such interventions not only restore water storage and improve flow, but also enable restoration of riparian green cover, creating habitat for birds and amphibians, and enhancing carbon sequestration.
Ramco Community Services (RCS) is actively promoting the restoration of these kanmais. It contributes to the projects by way of preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPR) using drone-based mapping, and LiDAR technology for precise topographical data. This data-driven approach enables accurate assessment of silt volumes, contamination hotspots, and vegetation patterns. RCS collaborates closely with municipal bodies and departments like PWD and TWAD to align technical planning with ground realities, ensuring that restoration activities are targeted, effective, and community-responsive.
Recognising their ecological and social importance, the Tamil Nadu government has proposed restoring 13 key kanmais within Rajapalayam’s LPA. Restoration efforts typically include desiltation, removal of invasive species like water hyacinth, cleaning up sewage inflows and garbage, desilting sluices and bunds, and strengthening embankments. Such interventions not only restore water storage and improve flow, but also enable restoration of riparian green cover, creating habitat for birds and amphibians, and enhancing carbon sequestration.
