The Noyyalai Nokki movement, an effort to rejuvenate the Noyyal River, is all set to be launched on March 26.

City-based NGO, Siruthli, has joined hands with the representatives from four districts through organizations including Jeeva Nadhi Noyyal, Tiruppur; Olirum Erodu, Erode; and Noyyal Kaappom, Karur, to form the NORFRED. This is a centralized body that will work towards restoration of the river Noyyal in the Kongu region.

Four representatives from the four regions came together at the Siruthuli office today and announced the launch of Noyyalai Nokki. This movement will be launched on March 26 at Koodurthurai village in Alandurai. Social activist and Padma Bhushan awardee Anna Hazara will preside over the launch function.

“This is a people’s movement. River Noyyal was once fed by 34 streams throughout the year, thus making Noyyal a perennial river. But, as time went by, neglect and mismanagement have almost led to the disappearance of the river from the landscape. Out of the 24 streams, which are like the veins and arteries that carry blood, only four streams are barely alive today. The reasons include silting up, encroachment, and conversion of the streams into car tracks, which prevent the water from the adjoining hills from reaching the river. Noyyalai Nokki is an attempt to restore the River Noyyal back to its original form.” Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee of Siruthuli, said.

The restoration process will be launched on March 26 at Kouduthurai in Alandurai Madvarayapuram village. The launch will include events like symbolic offering of water from all holy rivers in India into the River Noyyal, motivational talks by eminent speakers, Noyyal Aarthi along the lines of Ganga Aarthi, and an oath taking ceremony by the participants to pledge their commitment to the cause of the River Noyyal.

“NORFED has come up with a 3D concept for the holistic restoration, development, and maintenance of the river. Divide – the Noyyal will be divided into 500 metre segments. Distribute – the segments among patrons who are willing to adopt it, and lastly, Develop – the segments by desilting, setting up sewage treatment plants, tree planting along the river banks, or other ecological sound area,” C.R. Swaminathan, Chairman NORFED and Trustee of Siruthuli, said. He also added that working on cleaning up the river is the highest priority.

During the course of the next few days, all the villages from Alandurai to Madhavarayapuram will be covered. These apex members of Siruthuli will interact with the villagers and gather information about the problems facing the river. Their collective wisdom will be documented and incorporated into the plan of action.