Survey of Wetlands in and Around Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Home , Andipalayam (Gobi), Dindigul district, Periyakulam, Samalapuram, Thonguttipalayam, Tiruppur district

Annual Research & Review in Biology

27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419 ISSN: 2347-565X, NLM ID: 101632869

Survey of Wetlands in and around Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, India

P. Janaki Priya1 and K. Varunprasath1*

1Department of Zoology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Authors’ contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author KV designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author PJP managed the literature searches. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Article Information

DOI: 10.9734/ARRB/2018/41419 Editor(s): (1) Paola Angelini, Department of Applied Biology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. (2) George Perry, Dean and Professor of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA. Reviewers: (1) Jordi Colomer Feliu, University of Girona, Spain. (2) Dina Maria Ribeiro Mateus, Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, Portugal. (3) Eric S. Hall, USA. (4) Gandhiv Kafle, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sciencedomain.org/review-history/25115

Received 19th March 2018 rd Original Research Article Accepted 3 June 2018 Published 13th June 2018

ABSTRACT

Wetlands are amongst the most productive ecosystem On the Earth [1,2], and provide many important services to human society. Wetlands are one of the most threatened habitats of the world. Wetlands in India, as elsewhere, are increasingly facing several anthropogenic pressures. Urbanization is the irreversible, and most dramatic, transformation of land affecting ecology and natural resources. This study was carried out to document the wetland status from June 2017 to March 2018 in and around Tiruppur district, TamilNadu. The study results demonstrated that there are 88 wetlands in and around Tiruppur districts and that they might be categorized in terms of dimension and state. Out of the 88 wetlands, 68% of the wetlands consist of land plots of less than 5 acres in size, followed by 26% of the wetlands consisting of 6-10 acres in size, 3% of the wetlands were approximately 11-15 acres in size while 3% of the wetlands were over 15 acres. According to the recorded usage of the wetlands, 42% were used for irrigation, 11% for irrigation and fisheries, 3% for recreational activities, and 44% for cattle cleaning, residential purposes including washing clothes, in the booming slums around the wetlands. For wastes dumped on wetlands, 2% were degradable wastes, 44% were non degradable wastes, and 54% were mixed wastes, including both

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*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected];

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

degradable and non degradable waste. In Tiruppur town, 21% of the wetlands were enclosed by farm land, 8% were encircled by factories/companies, and 71% were surrounded by residential areas. During every summer season, 53% of the wetlands become dried out, 19% were partially dried up, and 28% of the wetlands retained their water holding capacity throughout the year. The results indicated that the decline of wetlands in and around Tiruppur district was due to waste dumping, construction near wetlands, lack of desilting and dredging, blocking of water channels, and the lack of strict laws. Apart from government regulation, creating wetland awareness, enlightened infrastructure development, sustainable water use planning, and implementation of zero discharge facilities practices are necessary in order to prevent the further deterioration on wetlands in Tiruppur district.

Keywords: Wetlands; pollution; anthropogenic; urbanization; residential areas; Tiruppur.

ABBREVIATIONS

WQI: water quality index.

1. INTRODUCTION swamps; coral reefs and marine wetlands, etc. Infact, with the exception of bogs, fens, and Wetlands are globally important ecosystems, typical salt marshes, Indian wetlands cover the which are found on every continent, and are whole range of the ecosystem types found [10]. among the most productive habitats on earth [3,4]. Although they only occupy 6% of the The ‘water-spread’ area of wetlands changes Earth’s surface, they support approximately 20% over seasons. The states of Sikkim, Nagaland, of all living organisms, providing an important Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand have more source of biodiversity [4,5]. Inland wetlands than 90% of the total wetland area as water receive water from precipitation, snow melt, river spread area during the post monsoon. Significant outflow, surface overland flow, ground water reduction in water spread area of wetlands from discharge, lake seiches, and seepage from post monsoon to pre monsoon was found in the streams, lakes, ponds and irrigation systems. States of Uttar Pradesh (28%), Chhattisgarh Overall, 1052 sites in Europe, 289 in Asia, 359 in (29%), Himachal Pradesh (29%), Tripura (29%), Africa, 175 in South America, 211 in North Sikkim (30%), Andhra Pradesh (31%), Jharkhand America, and 79 in the Oceania region (The (32.5%), Punjab (33%), Bihar (34%), Gujarat geographical region comprising the Pacific (36%), Karnataka (38.5%), Islands of Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia) have been identified as Ramsar sites Maharashtra (53.5%), Tamil Nadu (55%), or wetlands of International importance [6]. Madhya Pradesh (57%) and Rajasthan (57%). Wetlands, being dynamic and influenced by both With respect to percentage area under aquatic natural and man-made activities, need frequent vegetation, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, monitoring [7]. Wetlands occupy about 1,280 Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, million hectares (approximately 512 million and West Bengal have 15–59% of the wetland acres) of the entire world’s surface. However, area under aquatic vegetation [11]. The wetlands about 134,216,253 ha, of the total world in Tamil Nadu consist of lakes, ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, are internationally recognized as and seasonally waterlogged areas. The studies wetlands, and this excludes marine and coastal by SACON show that the wetland area of Tamil wetlands. Presently about 50% of the world Nadu was 1.24% of the total area in 1991. wetlands are lost due to drainage, and water According to the National Wetland Atlas (2011), diversions [8]. Wetlands cover approximately 6% 61% of TamilNadu's wetlands are classified of the Earth’s land surface and contain a large under lakes, ponds, and tanks. As noted above, portion of the world’s biodiversity [9]. Natural 24684 wetlands have been mapped in the Tamil wetlands in India consist of the high altitude Nadu. In addition, 18294 small wetlands (< 2.25 Himalayan Lakes, followed by wetlands situated ha) have also been identified. In India, wetlands in the flood plains of the major river systems, are increasingly facing several anthropogenic saline and temporary wetlands of the arid and pressures. Landscape changes are an important semi-arid regions, coastal wetlands such as aspect, as they play an important role in the lagoons, backwaters and estuaries; mangrove global environment. Due to the exponential

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

industrial growth, since the 1980s, the area. Tiruppur district was formed in 2009, employment rate increased, which increased the carved out of the Coimbatore and Erode, districts number of people arriving from other areas of making it the 32nd district of Tamil Nadu, and Tamil Nadu. Now Tiruppur also hosts a migratory one of the ten most industrialized and workforce. Rapid urbanization and expanding economically developed districts of TamilNadu. industries associated economic activities creates Before the formation of Tiruppur district, tremendous pressure on water resources and Avinashi, Madathukulam, Palladam, Tiruppur, responsible for dumping 300-400 million tons of and Udumalpet were taluks (a subdivision of a heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other revenue district) of the Coimbatore district, and wastes into water bodies each year in worldwide Dharapuram and Kangeyam were taluks of the [12]. According to recent estimates, more than 70 Erode district. The district is surrounded by the per cent of industrial wastes in developing Coimbatore district in the west, The Erode district countries are dumped untreated into adjacent to the North and northeast, the Karur district in water resources. The aim of this study was to the East, and the Dindigul district in the South record the present status of wetlands in Tiruppur east. The south of the district is surrounded by district and the influence of the anthropogenic Kerala state (Idukki district). In 2011, the activities on wetlands. Tiruppur Corporation area limit was extended to 159 sq. km, which now encompasses 60 wards, 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS by merging nearby Velampalayam Municipality, Nallur Municipality, Andipalayam, Chettipalayam, 2.1 Study Area Mannarai, Muthanampalayam, Murugampalayam, Veerapandi, Neruperichal, Tiruppur town (Tier II cities) is located at and Thottipalayam village panchayats (a village (latitude: 11º.05’N, longitude: 77º.20’E). The total council in India). Tiruppur now has an area of area of the district is 5186.34 sq. kms, with a 159 sq. km, with a population of 8.78 lakhs per population of 24, 790,520. It is India’s top textile the 2011census. The city has an area of 159 sq.

Map 1. A satellite map showing the location of the wetlands (in red circles) of Tiruppur district

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

km, The southern and south western parts wetlands were between 6-10 acres (Fig. 2), and receive maximum rainfall, due to the adjacent represent 28% of the wetlands. Group III (n=2) Western Ghats. The remaining locations in the wetlands were (11-15 acres) in size (Fig. 3), and city fall in the ‘rain shadow’ region of the Western occupies 3% of wetlands. Group IV (n=22) Ghats, and they experiences a salubrious climate wetlands were (above 15 acres) in size (Fig. 4), most of the year, except in the extreme eastern and they contain 25% of total wetlands. The part of the city. The maximum and minimum following wetlands were over 100 acres in size, temperatures of Tiruppur city during summer and i.e., Aachankulam, Chinnakulam, winter vary between 35°C and 18°C respectively. Chinnandipalayam Lake, Kannampalayam, The average annual rainfall is around 700 mm, Samalapuram Lake, Periyakulam, Sulur Big with the North East and the South West Lake, and Sulur Small Lake. From the total of 88 monsoons contributing 47% and 28% wetlands, the dryness of the wetlands over the respectively to the total annual rainfall. The major years was subdivided into five categories. A rivers flowing through the district are the Noyyal large number of wetlands (n = 32) had been dry and Amaravathi. The Amaravathi River is the less than 5years, (n=12) between 6-10 years, main source of irrigation in the district. Economic (n=2) between 11 to 15 years, (n=4) above15 base of Tiruppur is the export business. It is years, and (n=38) wetlands never dried. Overall, internationally known because of its numerous 43% of the wetlands were being used for apparel (Banian) manufacturing industries irrigation, fishing and other activities. spread over the entire town. The relatively large Approximately 5% of wetlands dried more than growth rate was due to an influx of workers from fifteen years ago, 2%of wetlands dried between other parts of India, due in turn to Tiruppur's 11 and 15 years ago, 12% of wetlands dried6-10 rapid industrialization during the period. The years ago, and 36% dried out less than five migrant population in Tiruppur is very high, given years ago. In Tiruppur district, during the summer the high employment opportunities in the hosiery season, 43% of wetlands (n=38) were dried and industry, and this directly impacts the projections barren wetlands even large wetlands like for infrastructure needs based on the resident Alallapuram Pond, Vadugapalayam Pond, population. Thottipalayam Pond, Alangiyum Lake, Pallapalayam Pond, Pannaikenarupalayam 2.2 Methods Pond, Avanasipalayam Pond, Nagalingapuram Pond, Semmandampalayam Pond, Karapalayam The present study was conducted by means of a Pond, Katturpudur Pond, Santhanamanayakkan field visit along with a questionnaire survey. The Palayam Pond, Muthanampalayam Pond, and study assessed the status of the wetlands in Andipalayam Pond. Nearly 14% of the wetlands Tiruppur, from June 2017 to March 2018. Before were partially dried, and 43% of wetlands (n=38) the start of the actual data collection, a had stagnant water throughout the year. preliminary survey was conducted during mid- June 2016. A total of 88 wetlands were surveyed Different types of waste dumped (Fig. 5) in and in and around Tiruppur district. The questionnaire around the wetlands of the Tiruppur district were was designed to collect data on the status of classified as: (I)- Degradable (Food waste, Wood wetlands with respect to the conservation waste, Cloth waste, bottles); (II)- Non degradable challenges in the Tiruppur district. Data on (Plastic, Polythene products) and (III)- Mixed wetland status in Tiruppur (in previous years waste (MW) containing both hazardous waste from 2000 to 2016) were collected from local and radioactive waste. NGO’S and the government record, which were used to make comparative studies on wetland Out of 88 wetlands, 4% of the wetlands were status in the Coimbatore district. The data were polluted by degradable waste (Oothupalayam analyzed using spss (statistical package for Pond and Perumbali Pond). Almost 44 % the social sciences) 17 version computer software wetlands had non-degradable waste and mixed program. waste (MW) dumped in them, consisting of materials like food waste, wood waste, cloth, 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION glass, plastic products, polythene. Effluent and sewage mixing were noted in each of the The wetlands have been classified under four Tiruppur wetlands. Based on usage, the groups by land area size. The Group I (n=39), wetlands were subdivided into: (I)- Irrigation; (II)- which is less than 5 acres in size (Fig. 1), contain Irrigation and Fishing; (III)-(Cattle grazing, 44% of total wetlands where Group II (n=25) Washing, and Sewage mixing); (IV)-

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

Recreational/entertainment uses. Thirty seven factories in Uppaaru Bridge (Nanjiyampalayam wetlands (42%) were used for irrigation Pond), Kanchipuram Bridge (Nizhilikarai), purposes, ten wetlands (11%) were used for Kasipalayam Lake, and Thottipalayam Lake. Bird irrigation and fishing. Fishing activities were diversity, including migratory birds was observed carried out in Annur Lake, Chinnandipalayam in Samalapuram Pond, Andipalayam Pond, Lake, Kannampalayam Lake, Karisalkulam Lake, Nanjarayan Pond, and Mannarai Lake. Almost Ottukulam Lake, Pallapalayam Lake, 72% of the wetlands were covered by residential Periyakulam Lake, Sengulam Lake, Sulur Big areas. We also recorded recent changes of Lake and Thinaikulam Pond. Approximately 44% wetlands, within 5 years, which various of wetlands were used for other purposes. Cattle anthropogenic activities. Based on the changes, grazing, and garbage dumping were recorded in we classified the wetlands into 3 categories: (I)- most of the wetlands. Residential sewage mixing Changes occurred in the area of the Wetland; occurred in Thonguttipalayam Pond, (II)- changes occurred in the water quality; (III)- Akkanampalayam Pond, Alaampalayam Pond, No changes. Under these categories, eleven Thottipalayam Lake, Chellapillaipalayam Pond, wetlands (14%) never changed their and Kallimadu Pond. Industrial effluent mixing characteristics. The water quality (physico occurred in Karaipudhur Pond, Kasipalayam chemical and biological parameters) has Lake, Anaimadu Pond, Kanchipuram Bridge been changed in (n=41), 46% of wetlands. (Nizhilikarai) Kandiankovil Pond and The area has been occupied in (n=36), 40% Alaampalayam Pond. Nearly 3% of wetlands of the total wetlands by construction, booming used for recreational and entertainment activities slum areas, and encroachment. These Lakes like boating, included Andipalayam Pond, have illegal construction of buildings, and most Amaravathi Palayam Pond, and Thottipalayam of the time, slum dwellers occupy the Pond. Based on water color, five wetlands (13%) adjoining areas. In 38 wetlands, water is used were green (Thonguttipalayam Pond, for washing and household activities, and Alaampalayam Pond, Kandiankovil Pond, fishing was observed at 10 wetlands in and Nanjarayan Pond and Kallimadu Pond), Seven around Tiruppur wetlands. Some of the Lakes wetlands (18%) had black in color(Thottipalayam have been restored by the city, and concerned Lake, Velliyampalyam Pond, Anaimadu Lake, authorities. Lack of conformity among Kasipalayam Lake, Amaravathi Palayam Pond government policies in economics, environment, and Nanjiyampalayam Pond). Four wetlands nature conservation, and development (10%) were colorless (Aankovil Pond, Mannarai planning is one reason for the deterioration Lake, Andipalayam Pond and Samalapuram of these water bodies. Encroachment activities Pond). Twenty- two (59%) wetlands were were observed in Kallimadu Pond, Samalapuram brownish in color. Anthropogenic practices Pond, Andipalayam Pond, Semmandampalayam observed in and around the wetlands of Tiruppur Pond, Ayyampalayam Pond, Subanur Pond, districts: (I)- Companies/Factory; (II)- Farming; Mettukatai Pond, Nanjarayan Pond, Kasipalayam (III)- Building construction (Residential, Lake, Uppaaru Bridge (Nanjiyamp alayam Pond), government, private company, and slums). A Devanampalayam Pond, Velampatti Pond, and total of 21% of the wetlands were surrounded by Alaampalayam Pond. farmland, 7% were covered by companies or

1. Velampati Pudur Pond 2.Velliyampalayam Pond 3.Subbanur Pond

Fig. 1. Photos of Group I type (1-5 acres) of Wetlands in and around Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

Table 1. Wetlands in and around Tiruppur districts, Tamil Nadu

Wetland name Dryness Usage of water Waste Anthropogenic dumping impact Aachankulam, ⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Farm land Degradable Annur lake, ⚝⚝⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Residential area Chettiyarkulam, ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Mixed waste Farm land Chinnakulam⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Chinnandipalayam lake, ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Company Chinnaveerampatty lake, ⚝⚝ >5 years Other Mixed waste Farm land Jammunai lake⚝⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Kannampalayam lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Farm land Karisalkulam ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Non Farm land Degradable Marulpatti lake⚝⚝⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Farm land Degradable Oothupalayam pond⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Degradable Residential area Ottukulam, ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Farm land Pallapalayam lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Farm land Pateeswarar lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Above15 Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area years Periyakulam (k) ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Mixed waste Farm land Periyakulam ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Farm land Perumbali pond ⚝ >5 years other Degradable Farm land Ramiyapalayam lake ⚝⚝ Above15 other Mixed waste Farm land years Samalapuram lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Sangamamkulam ⚝⚝⚝ 11-15 years other Mixed waste Residential area Sellanur pond, ⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation Mixed waste Farm land Sevur lake⚝⚝⚝⚝ 6- 10 years other Mixed waste Residential area Semmandampalayam lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Non Farm land Degradable Sengulam ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Mixed waste Farm land Sulur big lake ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Non Farm land Degradable Sulur small lake ⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Mixed waste Farm land Thamaraikulam, ⚝⚝⚝⚝ 11-15 years other Mixed waste Residential area Thinaikulam ⚝⚝⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation, Fishing Degradable Farm land Vadakalur lake⚝⚝⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation Mixed waste Farm land Thonguttipalayam pond⚝ Never dried Other Non Residential area Degradable Velayuthampalayam pond ⚝ Never dried Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Vadugapalayam pond⚝ >5 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Alallapuram pond ⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Akkanampalayam pond⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Maniyampalyam pond ⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Kaikatti pond ⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Ramalingapuram pond⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Alaampalayam pond ⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Company Kandiankovil pond ⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Kariyampalayam pond ⚝ Never dried Other Non Residential area Degradable Uppukaraipalayam pond ⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area

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Wetland name Dryness Usage of water Waste Anthropogenic dumping impact Kandhampalayam pond⚝⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Aankovil pond⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Velampatti pond ⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Devanampalayam pond⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Kattupalayam pond⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Kovilpalayampudhur pond⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable N.kanchipuram bridge(nizhilikarai) >5 years Irrigation Non Company ⚝ Degradable Uppaaru bridge (nanjiyampalayam >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area pond) ⚝⚝ Degradable Amaravathipalayam pond⚝ >5 years Recreational Non Residential area activity Degradable Alangium lake ⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Kasipalayam lake ⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Company Mannarai lake ⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Anaimadu pond ⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Company Nanjarayan pond ⚝⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Velliyampalayam pond⚝ Never dried Other Non Residential area Degradable Mettukatai pond ⚝ Never dried Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Anaipalayam pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Subanur pond ⚝ Never dried Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Thottipalayam lake ⚝⚝ Never dried Other Mixed waste Residential area Kathankanni pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Nachipalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Avanasipalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Peruntholuvu pond⚝⚝ >5 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Kosavampalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Chellapillaipalayam pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Ayyampalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Nagalingapuram pond⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Thottipalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Recreational Non Residential area activity Degradable Semmandampalayam pond ⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable V.kallipalayam pond⚝ >5 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Thuththeripalayam pond⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Velampattipudhur pond⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Thottapatti pond ⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Kattur pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Chinnakattur pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Karapalayam pond ⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Katturpudhur pond ⚝⚝ >5 years Irrigation Non Residential area

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Wetland name Dryness Usage of water Waste Anthropogenic dumping impact Degradable Santhamanayakkan palayam >5 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area pond⚝⚝ Muthanampalayam pond⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation Non Residential area Degradable Andipalayam pond ⚝⚝ Above15 Recreational Non Residential area years activity Degradable Samalapuram pond⚝⚝ Above15 Irrigation Non Residential area years Degradable Velam palayam pond⚝ >5 years Other Non Residential area Degradable Karaipudhur pond ⚝ 6- 10 years Other Mixed waste Company Kallimadu pond ⚝ Never dried Other Non Residential area Degradable Pannaikenarupalayam pond ⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Irrigation Mixed waste Residential area Pudhupalayam pond ⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Other Mixed waste Residential area Pallapalayam pond ⚝⚝ 6- 10 years Other Mixed waste Residential area

4. Maniampalayam pond 5. Anaipalam pond 6. Andipalayam pond

Fig. 2. Photos of Group II type (6-10 acres) of Wetlands in and around Tiruppur district, TamilNadu

7. Sangamamkulam Lake 8.Sulur small Lake

Fig. 3. Photos of Group III type (11- 15 acres) of Wetlands i in and around Tiruppur district, TamilNadu

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

9. Chinnandipalayam lake 10.Periyakulam lake 11. Pallapalayam lake 12. Kannampalayam lake 13. SulurBig lake 14. Periyakulam pond

Fig. 4. Photos of Group IV type (above 16 acres) of Wetlands in and around Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu

15. Akkanampalayam pond 16. Avanasipalayam pond 17. Kosavampalayam pond

Fig. 5. Photos of Garbage dumping of Wetlands in and around Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu

According to Scott and Pole's (1989) listing, 45% stripped of their vegetation for human use [16]. of all Indian wetlands are considered moderately The study clearly indicated that fifty- seven to highly threatened. No single effort is going to percent (57%) of wetlands vanished in Tiruppur protect these wetlands [13]. Large areas of district due to a large number of factories, lack of India’s watershed area are being physically infrastructure, absence of underground drainage systems, over population (50% growth the landscape development pattern shows that in population in the past 10 years), decline in areas adjacent to wetlands provide excellent dry storage water holding capacity, lack of desilting, season foraging opportunities for grazers, along building and construction, dredging, blockage of with irrigation. In the Tiruppur district the main water channels, and the spreading of the reason for wetland pollution is caused by Vachelia nilotica species, led to alteration of the improper textile dying unit mixing and improper wetland ecology. Most of these wetlands become waste management in the district. This might be dry in summer, and serve as a dumping yard for due to the mixing of the effluent from the textile garbage and industrial waste [14]. Loss in and dying units, and dumping municipal waste wetland areas result in adverse impacts on the into the wetlands [17]. Untreated effluent water key functions (ecosystem goods and services) impacts farm lands, and it increases pressure on performed by wetlands [15]. Throughout India, environment by damaging the ecology.

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

Approximately 2% of wetland remains clean habitat condition of the wetland or alter water because they located inside the religious area. regimes by wetland drainage [26,27]. The Nearly 2% of wetlands were polluted by present study showed that in the Tiruppur district, degradable waste, 44 % by non-degradable twenty wetlands were usable and the remaining waste and mixed waste (MW) consisting of sixty-eight wetlands were non usable. Water materials like food waste, wood waste, cloth, pollution, due to effluent discharge, was ranked glass products, plastic, and polythene products. as the second biggest problem for agricultural This makes wetlands unusable. The draining of productivity. Noyyal pollution ranked first in the wetlands has depleted the ground water. In rural ‘anthropogenic factors’ affecting productivity loss. India, about 6000 villages are without a source Dumping dye effluents into the sea, through pipe for drinking water due to the rapid depletion of lines from Tiruppur is not a permanent solution ground water [18]. About 26% of wetlands were for the people of Tiruppur garment or the used for irrigation purposes and were located manufacturers. outside of town. And almost 11% were used for irrigation and fishing. The effluent discharge in Implementation of zero discharge facilities and the river and nearby wetlands has caused socio- integrated waste water resource management economic stress by reducing agricultural practices is necessary in order to prevent further productivity and fish stock, leading to the deterioration. The colors of water bodies were relocation of many farmers and/or their result mostly greenish, largely due to algal blooms from occupational change [19,20,21,22]. microcistis, and also due to sewage and Approximately 39% of wetlands were used for domestic effluents [28]. Nearly 36% wetlands other purposes like washing clothes and green in color, 46% were black in color, 5% of cleaning. The MSE (2002) report also documents the wetlands were colourless and 13% of the the impact of water pollution on livestock. wetlands were brown in color. Another study also Livestock rearing was traditionally a subsidiary supports that wetland colour in Tiruppur contains occupation in rural areas. However, since the green, black, greenish black, and colourless water quality has deteriorated, livestock rearing wetlands [29]. Greenish yellow colored water has declined. The livestock do not drink the restricts the penetration of light, which polluted water. In areas where the livestock were subsequently retards photosynthetic reactions. dependent on polluted water, MSE’s primary This also indirectly affects the reoxygenation survey revealed that many calves were born capacity of receiving waters. Warm waters are without hair and suffered high mortality rates. more susceptible to eutrophication, a build-up of The results suggested that the water in the river nutrients and possible algal blooms, because was polluted and not good for agriculture. It is photosynthesis and bacterial decomposition both therefore recommended that unless the work faster at higher temperatures. Nutrients can authorities implement the laws governing the come from many sources, such as fertilizers disposal of wastes, this may affect the lives of applied to agricultural fields, domestic drainage, the people [23]. municipal sewage, deposition of nitrogen from the atmosphere and erosion of soil containing Fully 19% of wetlands are used for recreational nutrients from nearby catchment areas one and entertainment activity. More than 50,000 study. [30] is of the opinion that the constant small and large Indian Lakes are polluted to the discharge of sewage into the aquatic system point of being considered dead. The primary enriches the organic content, leading to sources of pollution are human sewage, eutrophication and deterioration of the quality of industrial pollution and agricultural runoff, which water. Eutrophication is also induced by contains pesticides, fertilizers and herbicide [24]. anthropogenic activities such as fertilizer The study indicated that 98% of wetlands in application in agriculture and land-use changes Tiruppur district was polluted by degradable and that accelerate the phytoplankton growth in non degradable waste material. According to aquatic ecosystems. Wetland areas have been [25], the disappearance of natural wetland impacted through in (40% of the total wetlands) vegetation, and invasion of non wetland (upland) construction, slum development, and vegetation or weedy species, is the sign of encroachment. environmental degradation in the wetlands. This is because each plant species has a limited Based on anthropogenic practices, a total of 21% tolerance to change in their habitat requirement. of wetlands are surrounded by farmland, 8% are Thus, change in composition and loss of wetland covered by companies or factories, and 71% of plants in cultivation sites could change the wetlands are covered by residential areas. In

Priya and Varunprasath; ARRB, 27(2): 1-13, 2018; Article no.ARRB.41419

Table 2. Wetland survey data table

Dates Surveys Performed: Team Name:

Team Members: 1. 2. Wetland name:

Colour Size Depth Condition Usage Dumping Anthropogenic Wetland (hectares) Waste Impacts type/Plant Species

Comments ddition, Lake catchments were used as dumping (Fig. 5). Based on usage, thirty seven wetlands yards for either municipal solid waste or building were used for irrigation purposes, ten wetlands debris [31]. The anthropogenic interventions were used for irrigation and fishing. Nearly 3% of have also lead to poor water quality, which in wetlands used for recreational and entertainment turn has resulted in the reduction in number of activities like boating. Based on water color, five native fish species, loss of biodiversity, decline in wetlands (13%) were green, seven wetlands fish catches and depletion of natural resources in (18%) had black in color, four wetlands (10%) these wetlands [32,33,34]. The industries were colorless and Twenty two (59%) wetlands involved in textile dyeing and bleaching are were brownish in color. In Tiruppur district 21% known for their effluents having high salt content of the wetlands were surrounded by farmland, [35]. The surrounding areas of these Lakes have 7% were covered by companies or factories, illegal construction of buildings, and most of the 72% of the wetlands were covered by residential time, slum dwellers occupy the adjoining areas areas. According to the recent changes of [36]. wetlands within 5 years showed that eleven wetlands (14%) never changed their 4. CONCLUSION characteristics, the water quality (physico chemical and biological parameters) has been This is the first work on surveying the 88 changed in 46% of wetlands and the area has wetlands in and around the Tiruppur district. been occupied in 40% of the total wetlands by Wetlands categorized by land area size showed construction, booming slum areas and that Group I( less than 5 acres ) contain 44% of encroachment. Various measures like regional total wetlands, Group II ( 6-10 acres ) represents conservation forums, involvement of educational 28% of the wetlands, Group III ( 11-15 acres ) institutions, researches, NGOs, and local people, occupies 3% of wetlands, Group IV (above 15 are required to help restore the degraded acres ) which contain 25% of total wetlands. Wetlands and conserve them. According to the dryness of wetlands categorized into five types. 32 wetlands were dried out in less COMPETING INTERESTS than 5 years, 12 wetlands were dried in between 6-10 years, 2 wetlands under 11 to 15 years, 4 The author grateful thanks to Dr. M. wetlands dried out before 15 years ago and 38 Lakeshmanaswamy, Associate Professor wetlands were never dried. In Tiruppur district, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, during the summer season 38 wetlands were Coimbatore and N.Mohanraj (WWF) for their completely dried, 12 wetlands were partly dried constant support and valuable guidance and 38 wetlands had stagnant water throughout throughout the project. the year. Based on types of waste dumped in and around Tiruppur district showed that 4% of REFERENCES the wetlands were polluted by degradable waste, 44% the wetlands had non-degradable waste 1. Ghermandi A, van den Bergh JCJM LM, and 52% were mixed waste dumped on wetlands Brander PALD. Nunes the economic value

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