Reviving the River Bank

 Reviving the River Bank

Mr. Ratnavel Pandian, the retired judge, hailed from Thiruppudaimarathur, where he gave his years of retirement to the service of nature. The banks of the Tamiraparani River were used by locals for availing fuelwood, grazing and other ecosystem services. However, when the Forest Department started intervening with check dams, the biological flows reduced. Ratnavel, along with the community, proposed the plantation of native trees that would also lead to the prosperity of native biodiversity. The painted storks that were viewed as a nuisance received more attention from people after Ratnavel intervened and showed them the importance of these birds. The restoration of the riverbank was planned strategically in order to achieve long-term sustainability. The plantation of native tree species was done in patches so that a sudden shock to the system could be avoided, and locals were also informed about the saplings and urged to graze their livestock in other plots. Once the plots reached maturity, the team moved to the next plot. This gradual restoration enabled the growth of the saplings and establishment of the understory. In a world moving towards restorative solutions, it's essential to plan these solutions in ways that support biodiversity as well as people. The village of Thiruppudaimarathur is now a model and example of conservation of native trees and painted storks, and was declared a bird sanctuary. The changed perceptions and acceptance of people towards the birds would not have been possible without the efforts of Mr. Ratnavel Pandian.