Illegal Lotus Farming Threatens Thamirabarani Wetlands and Livelihoods

The Thamirabarani irrigation system, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest water management networks, is under threat. From a lotus.Illegal commercial lotus cultivation in irrigation tanks across the Thamirabarani river basin is severely degrading wetlands, harming biodiversity, and disrupting traditional water use.

The river supports agriculture, drinking water, fisheries and livelihoods through a vast chain of canals and tanks.While the water resources department leases tanks for fish culture, leaseholders in several locations have illegally begun cultivating lotus for commercial sale, in violation of lease conditions, says M Mathivanan, coordinator of ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre. “To boost lotus yield, cultivators add chemical fertilizers, pesticides, pig manure, and cattle dung directly into tanks, contaminating water and endangering native fish and other aquatic life.

As a result, local communities can no longer safely use tank water for bathing, washing, or livestock.”He adds that cultivating lotuses like this yields a better income than fishing. “We have identified lotus cultivation in 20 of 29 ponds in the Manimuthar 40-foot channel. Partial cultivation was observed in the rest,” says Mathivanan. “Due to the cultivation, dead leaves settle under the water bed and increase silt accumulation.”

Unchecked lotus farming could compromise wetland health across the basin and affect thousands who depend on these tanks, he says. “The govt should stop illegal cultivation and protect irrigation tanks as public water resources.”Tirunelveli collector Anand Mohan says they have not received any complaint about lotus cultivation. “If a complaint is made, the district administration will initiate action,” he says.