The Noyyal is an ancient river flowing through Coimbatore, with historians noting that a civilization over 2000 years old once flourished along its banks. However, the river is currently in a dire state. The Noyyal consists of 34 streams, with 22 on the southern side and 12 on the northern side, all of which are in poor condition.

Siruthuli, an acclaimed green NGO based in Coimbatore, has restored 2 of these streams and that has made water flow again, benefiting the farmers and people nearby. However there is lot to be done and it cannot be done by just a group of people; it needs massive support from the government.

The NGO's Chairman S.V.Balasubramaniam and its Managing Trustee Vanitha Mohan both appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday to help them restore all the streams so that River Noyyal can once again flow in all its glory and benefit Coimbatore in return. 

They made this request to Tamil Nadu Ministers TRB Raja (Industry), Swaminathan (Information & Publicity) and Muthusamy (Housing) who attended Siruthuli's 21st Anniversary Celebrations and the valedictory of Thuli Thuliyai Siruthuliyai campaign here in the city.

Started in 2003, Siruthuli has planted 8 lakh saplings and nurtured them to rise successfully as trees, giving fresh air to the city and absorbing pollution to some extent. It has also made it possible to send 12000+ million litres of rain water into the ground via rain water harvesting structures. It has conducted massive desilting drives in water bodies of Coimbatore, conducted afforestation drives, awareness programs and most recently began Nalla Thanni - its flagship program to treat sewage water and make it useful for farming activities.

"Our technical team has evaluated several technology to setup low cost and effective sewage treatment systems. The cost of treatment of sewage works out to Rs. 2 per liter. If we are able to treat sewage and give it to farmers, 3 lakh litres of treated sewage can irrigate 90 acres of coconut trees or 70 acres of areca nut trees. This will significantly reduce burden on ground water," said Vanitha Mohan at the event. The NGO has submitted a proposal to Coimbatore Corporation to work along with it in treating sewage.

At event, Vanitha Mohan appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government via the 3 minister to make Rain Water Harvesting mandatory for all.  Talking about Coimbatore specifically, she remarked that defunct borewells within Coimbatore Corporation limits could be converted into recharge borewells, which can then help the city save more water. 

Aiming to plant 1 tree for every individual in Coimbatore, Siruthuli targetted planting 25 lakh saplings and has so far planted 8 lakh trees. As it is falling short of space, she requested the Govt to allot plantation sites available within HREC department, as it is the only department that has plenty of land here. She also appealed the government to take measures to prevent sewage from entering water bodies. 

Minister Muthusamy assured that this government will fulfill their expectations and urged them to make use of the ministers in-charge of Coimbatore including himself and the two others; Raja and Swaminathan. 

At the occasion, the MoUs inked by Siruthuli with 5 top Building and Construction Associations in Coimbatore CEBACA, CREDAI BAI, COAREA and ACCE to setup rain water harvesting structures in various parts of Coimbatore were exchanged in the presence of the Ministers.