Take steps to protect Noyyal river, farmers tell CM

Tamil Nadu Farmers Association on Wednesday urged Chief Minister K Palaniswami to take steps to protect the Noyyal river, the lifeline of the region, from encroachments and effluent discharge.

In a memorandum submitted to Palaniswami at the city airport, the association president S Palanisamy said the banks of the 147-km-long river were encroached upon in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode, and apartments constructed.

Besides, effluents from textile and other industries were discharged into the river, resulting in total pollution creating a hazardous situation, he said.

In view of this, the government should take steps to prevent and remove the encroachments and also discharge of effluents into the river.

Referring to the rise in milk price, he said though the increase in its procurement price was not satisfactory, it has given some solace to the dairy farmers, he said.

Palanisamy later said the Chief Minister has assured to look into the issue.