What award did Tenkasi district win for its water conservation efforts?

Tenkasi district won the Centre's 'Best South Zone District in Water Conservation Award' for its comprehensive efforts to revive neglected water bodies and the Tamirabharani river system.

How did the three district collectors of Tenkasi contribute to the district's water conservation success?

The three successive district collectors - Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, V. Vishnu, and K.P. Karthikeyan - spearheaded initiatives like desilting tanks, removing encroachments, and mobilizing public participation to restore the district's water infrastructure.

What was the impact of the Tenkasi district's water conservation efforts?

The initiatives led to improved water availability, enhanced ecological balance with water birds returning to the restored water bodies, and the cleaning of the Tamirabharani river, which had been polluted by waste and discarded clothes.

Home / Environment / Tenkasi's Water Conservation Crusade Earns National Acclaim

Tenkasi's Water Conservation Crusade Earns National Acclaim

14 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Three district collectors revived neglected water bodies and irrigation channels
Desilting, encroachment removal, and public participation key to success
Tamirabharani river, the lifeline of four southern districts, now cleaner

Tenkasi's Water Conservation Crusade Earns National Acclaim

In the past 7 years, Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu has undergone a remarkable transformation in its water conservation efforts, earning it the Centre's 'Best South Zone District in Water Conservation Award'. This achievement is the result of the collective work of three successive district collectors - Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, V. Vishnu, and K.P. Karthikeyan.

Since May 2018, the district administration has undertaken a comprehensive program to revive neglected water bodies and irrigation channels, including the vital Tamirabharani river system that serves four southern districts. Under the 'Nam Tamirabharani Iyakkam' initiative, the collectors have desilted tanks, removed encroachments, and mobilized public participation to restore the district's water infrastructure.