Built in 1974, the dam has a catchment area of 285 acres in the forest floor stretching between Palani and Oddanchatram taluks, PWD officials say. | Photo credit: File Photo
Iin a major step forward, the Government of Tamil Nadu (Public Works Department) will start desilting of the 90 feet Parappalar reservoir in Oddanchatram Taluk, Dindigul District as the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has given approval.
Releasing the GO, PWD officials said on Sunday that the dam, built in 1974, has a catchment area of a huge extent of 285 acres in the forest land stretching between Palani and Oddanchatram taluks. Although the reservoir has a storage capacity of 90 feet, the dam has never been desilted since its inception. So the alluvial soil alone piled up to about 25 feet, giving an actual storage space of about 65 feet.
Farmers and their associations have been representing officials and governments to take steps to desilt the dam as this would increase the level of reserves that can provide more water for irrigation as well as drinking purposes.
Oddanchatram MLA and TN Food Minister R Sakkarapani took action that the TN government has earmarked ₹19 crore for dewatering, officials said, adding that they are awaiting permission from the Union government as the catchment areas come under the jurisdiction of the forest department.
The farmers association in Oddanchatram welcomed the GO for desilting the dam and said it would benefit them and the local residents. The water table would be raised and the alluvial land should be given to the rightful farmers, they said.
PWD officials said a total of 2,323 acres of cultivable land in the block has received water. After desilting, more coverage would be possible.
ÚB has more than 20 conditions set by PWD officials. The desilting will be completed by December 2028. By then, the alluvial soil will be cleared and the trail inside the forest area will be restored. A camp may not be built and any material removed from the reservoir will be placed with PWD land nearby and among others.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 19:28 IST
