Gulf Of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve

Gulf of Mannar is located in the Indian Ocean, between West coast of Sri Lanka and Southeastern tip of India, with Palk Bay on the North. With 3600 species of flora and fauna, it is the richest coastal region in Asia, 117 hard coral species, sea grass, seaweed, sharks, whales, dugong, dolphin, pearl oyster, sea cucumber populate the Gulf. 47 fishing villages, with 50,000 population depend on it. Fishermen rely on coral reefs, where fishes abound and fingerlings are nurtured, to feed their families. 21 islets lying between Tuticorin and Dhanushkodi form Gulf of Mannar National Park and along with it, a 10 KM buffer zone was named Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve. Researchers have observed that bleaching of corals are occurring. There was fear that over harvesting of fishes was destroying its resources. Hence, it was planned to find and source livelihoods away from the Gulf, to seek alternate livelihoods for the fishermen. COODU was selected to mobilise, motivate and plan for the fishermen. During the course of the awareness generation campaign among the fisher folk on the need for the conservation and development of the Biosphere, COODU has also prepared micro-plans for providing alternative livelihood to the fishermen community living along the Gulf of Mannar and subsisting on its resources, for getting financial assistance from the UNDP. Being recognized by the Biosphere Reserve Trust as one of the premier organizations in carrying out its objectives, COODU worked with the trust under the aegis of the UNDP to facilitate the fishermen in finding alternative livelihoods on a sustainable basis. Palmyrah, with numerous bye-products, abounding the coast, was found to be an alternate source of livelihood.

TN-IAMWARM - Environmental Awareness Programme.

The PWD-Environmental Cell Division had, in the year 2012-13, entrusted COODU with creating awareness on eco-friendly practices, solid waste management, Global warming and water management among officials, general public, local bodies representatives and farmers in Chennai and Coimbatore divisions. The organisation had conducted Environmental Fair/Exhibitions in Ongur sub-division of Varahanadhi River basin in Kanchipuram district, Cooum sub division of Chennai basin in Tiruvallur district, motivating local body representatives for solid waste management/sewage treatment at Cheyyar-Kiliyar sub basin of Palar basin in Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur district in January 2013, Solid Waste Management / Sewage Treatment in Adyar sub basin of Chennai basin in Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chennai districts in January 2013, Exposure and field visit to eco-friendly practices for WRO officials, members of WUAs and farmers in Thurinjalar sub basin of Pennaiyar basin in Thiruvannamalai district in March 2012, Exposure and field visit to eco-friendly practices for WRO officials, members of WUAs and farmers in Araniyar sub basin of Chennai basin in Tiruvallur district in September 2012, two days exposure and field visit to eco friendly practices for WRO officials, members of WUAs and farmers in Pambar to Thirukovilar sub basin of Varahanadhi basin in Tiruvannamalai district in October 2012, Environmental Fair/Exhibition, bench marking, recognition of good eco-friendly practices, green awards in Nallavur sub basin of Varahanadhi basin in Villupuram district in September 2012

NABARD District Water Awareness Campaign (“KrishiJaldoot”)

An awareness meeting was held on 21.06.2017 to sensitise farmers, agricultural labourers, women SHG members and the general public on the need to conserve Water both for irrigation and drinking in Dhayanur in KalampalayamPanchayat. Objectives: a. To create a bio diversity park for the green cover of our project area b. To replicate the success of the experiment in all possible areas. c. To start a green watershed concept to collaborate/convergence with other institutions d. To inaugurate world environment day celebrations e. To coordinate NABARD KrishiJaldootcampaign

ITC – CSR Water Conservation Campaign

In March 2017, 2018 and 2019, COODU celebrated World Water Day and organised Water Mela,inDhayanur in Karamadai block. As part of it, competitions in eloquence, drawing and essay on judicious use of water were conducted for school and college students and a rally was held with the participation of students, farmers and SHG members in the block. Discourses on water management, better practices in cultivation of banana and coconut, micro-irrigation, promotion of FPOs were made by academics and experts from the TNAU and Avinashilingam KVK. Documentaries on watershed development projects being implemented by COODU., supported by ITC Ltd., selection of coconut seeds and organic farming were screened. Farmers shared their experiences in soil and moisture conservation, water resource development and natural farming in the watersheds.

Ooty Lake Conservation Project

Under the department of environment and forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, conservation of Ooty Lake was undertaken. From the year 2016-17, massive awareness campaigns on conservation of the lake were launched. COODU., entrusted with the task, organised walkathon, formed committees, mobilised volunteers, conducted workshop, street plays, and a mass cleaning exercise on channels and the lake. A blitzkrieg media campaign was launched. The municipality of Ooty assisted COODU in carrying out all conservation activities. The army from wellington officers’ academy involved servicemen in the clean-up of the lake. The feeder canal, collecting rain water from Udhagamandalam town and strewn with garbages was cleaned by COODU., with the assistance of volunteers. Handbills and boards containing messages to people to keep the canal clean were distributed and displayed.

Disaster Management Project

In the background of the Tsunami and other calamities, the Government has directed the urban and rural local bodies to prepare Disaster Management Plans to cope with natural and other disaster/calamities such as Tsunami, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, etc. The Municipal Corporation of Coimbatore, as directed, entrusted formulation of ‘Urban Earthquake Vulnerability ReductionProject’ to the organization created a database on the ward profile by conduct of Participatory Learning Methods involving elected representative es, officials and the people at the ward level and, based on the existing as well as required infrastructures, formulated the disaster management plan.

Ooty Lake Conservation Project- Cleansing Task

Alarmed at the levels of pollution in the Ooty lake caused by the canal, the District Administration entrusted the task of cleaning and conservation of the lake and Kodapmund channel to the Organisation in the years 2016-2018. The feeder canal, collecting rain water from Udhagamandalam town and strewn with garbages was cleaned by COODU., with the assistance of volunteers. Handbills and boards containing messages to people to keep the canal clean were distributed and displayed.

Preparation Of Natural Resources Atlas

The Public Works department (Environment Cell Division) Coimbatore has entrusted COODU with the task of preparing an atlas of natural resources in the sub-basins of Aliyar, Agniyar, Palar and Ambuliyar in the districts of Coimbatore and Tiruppur. The organization carried out a through survey of the Sub-Basins situated in mountaineous terrains, valleys and plains and made a study of its flora and fauna and water resources. Water samples were collected and tested as to its quality pollution caused by sewage, effluents and emission was detected and recorded. Finally the resources were mapped and the planning of intervention, conservaton and development measures.

CIVIC AMENITIES:Maintenance Of Public Conveniences

With acute shortage of sanitary workers, the Corporation of Coimbatore was unable to properly maintain Public conveniences and therefore approached COODU to facilitate in maintaining eightyone (81) public conveniences in three zones comprising Coimbatore North, West and East. COODU engaged urban SHGs in maintaining them in the year 2007 for an year, using water sprayer, lime and Phenyl to clean daily. As the Public Conveniences were located in areas inhabited by people belonging to lower strata without Individual House Hold Latrines, the service was much appreciated.

Maintenance Of Foot Path Around Race Course:

With the objective of providing an aesthetic environment around the Race Course in Coimbatore, the District Administration entrusted this task to COODU, after obtaining consent and assurance of Industrialists and traders to contribute towards its maintenance in the year 2007. The Organisation formulated a Plan to keep the Walkers Path clean and also water the plants on either side of the path, thus keeping the pathway, measuring 3.5 KM, green and lushy and providing visual treat to the walkers and others.