Mullai Periyaru Dam was constructed across the Periyar river (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) in 1895 by the British government under the supervision of Mr. Pennycuick, mainly to serve the purpose of irrigation. The water from the dam is the only source for the farmers of almost entire southern Tamil Nadu.  

Brief History

History says that British government approved for the construction of this dam in 1885 under the supervison of an engineer called Pennycuick . After a few years the government stopped funding for this dam some petty reason. Officer Pennycuick raised funds by selling his wife's jewelry and assets in Britain to continue the work. In Madurai, Major Pennycuick's statue has been installed at the state PWD office and his photographs are found adorning walls in peoples homes and shops. In 2002, his great grandson was honoured in Madurai, a function that was attended by thousands of people.

 

 The Periyar project, as it was then known, was widely considered well into the 20th Century as "one of the most extraordinary feats of engineering ever performed by man".  483 people died of diseases during the construction of this dam and were buried on-site in a cemetery just north of the dam.

 

Ecosystem

The Periyar National Park in Thekkady, a Protected area of Kerala, is located around the dam's reservoir, the 26 km2 (10 sq mi) Periyar lake. 62 different kinds of mammals have been recorded in Periyar, including many threatened ones. Periyar is a highly protected tiger reserve and elephant reserve. There are an estimated 53 tigers (2010) in the reserve. Tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in their natural habitat. The elephant number around 900 to 1000 individuals. Other mammals found here include gaur​, Bison​, sambar (horse deer), barking deer​, mouse deer​, Dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose​,foxesand​ leopards. Also inhabiting the park, though rarely seen, are the elusive Nilgiri tahr. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, the commonlangur, and the Bonnet Macaque. According to a report by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, the protected area surrounding the dam and reservoir is classified as a biodiversity hot spot.  

 

This Mullai Periyaru  dam is as strong as ever before and panel of experts have submitted enough documents at the Supreme Court of India to prove that dam is safe and secure. Supreme Court has also given a verdict that this dam is steady and need not be demolished. But Kerala politicians and the government are spreading rumors that this dam will break anytime for the past 35 years and want to demolish this steady dam and construct a new dam at a different place.  If a new dam is built in this area, the entire eco-system will be endangered.  

 

Kerala politician’s fear that this dam will collapse anytime is baseless and this dam will indeed sustain for more than 500 years as per the engineers who have already re-strengthened this dam.

 

Therefore, we the people of Tamil Nadu make an urgent appeal to the government of India and Tamil Nadu to ensure Mullai Periyaru  Dam is intact and not to allow any construction of new dam risking lives of the wild animals and spoiling the eco system surrounding the area. Also the poor farmers who mainly rely on this dam for water sources will lose their livelyhood  if new dam is constructed.  In order to protect the Dam from the encroachers / miscreants, we request the Indian government to provide enough military security for this dam at the earliest.

 

We the people of Tamil Nadu will be ever grateful to you.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours Sincerely,

People of Tamil Nadu,

Tamils Cultural Centre

Tamil Nadu Farmers Association

Tamil Nadu Activists Union

Tamil Nadu People Rights Group

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