Farmers raise concerns over waterbody restoration, wild boar menace

District Collector M. Prathap addressing the farmers' grievance meeting in Kanniyakumari District Collectorate on Thursday.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kanniyakumari District Collector M. Prathap said that restoration of waterbodies that were affected during the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and railway works is being carried out in phases, while addressing the farmers’ grievance redress meeting held here on Thursday.During the meeting, farmers raised several concerns, including removal of Prosopis juliflora in Manakudy estuary, implementation of long-pending Ulakkai Aruvi (waterfalls) dam project to meet the drinking water needs of Nagercoil Corporation, restoration of waterbodies that were affected during the NHAI and railways works in the district and wild boar menace in the district.Farmer Chenbagasekara Pillai highlighted the need to implement the long-pending Ulakkadi Aruvi dam project, stressing that it was necessary to meet the drinking water needs of growing Nagercoil Corporation. Responding to this, officials said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been sent to the government.A. Wins Anto of Kodhayar Irrigation Project Committee sought the restoration of waterbodies affected during the NHAI and railway work in the district. Responding to this, Mr. Prathap said that the waterbodies affected during these works were being restored in phases.Responding to the concerns over the wild boar menace in Thirupathisaram region, Kanniyakumari district forest officer A. Anbu said that action would be taken by the forest department to shoot the wild boars in the reported area. He further added that work has already started to remove Prosopis juliflora in Puthalam and Rajakkamangalam areas, and work in other places would be carried out after obtaining necessary permission and floating tenders for the project.Joint director (in-charge) of agriculture department S. Geetha, project director of Rural Development Agency Saicharan and other officials were present at the meeting. Published - August 27, 2026 07:36 pm IST