Pazhayar River
Why in news?
Rampant sewage and untreated water discharge into the Pazhayar River in Nagercoil, particularly near Ozhuginesary, has sparked major environmental and public health concerns among residents.
About
- Location: Flows through Kanniyakumari (Kanyakumari) district in Tamil Nadu, India.​
- Origin: Slopes of Mahendragiri hills in Western Ghats at 800 m above MSL.​
- Length: 40 km (some sources note 35-40 km).​
- Direction and Mouth: Southwest through Mahendragiri Estate, Palkulam, Bhuttapandi, Thazhikudi, Nagercoil, Suchindram; drains into Arabian Sea near Manakudi (Manakudy Estuary).​
- Catchment Area: 397 sq km, part of Kodaiyar (Kodayar) River Basin (total basin ~1,647 sq km).​
- Tributaries: Alathurayar (Alathuraiyar), Poigaiyar, Thadaveyar (Tharuvayar), Koya odai (Koyu odai), Ulakkaruviyar (Ulakkaruviar).​
- Dams/Anicuts: Chattupythur, Chettothoppu, Cholanmkattu, Kutty, Kumari, Mission, Pallikondam, Pillaipetha, Salari, Veerapuli, Veeranarayanamangalam; CWC station at Ashramam.​
- Other Features: Perennial river; inter-basin canal from Tambraparni for irrigation; no major projects; feeds from Pechiparai/Perunchani reservoirs.​
- Ecological Role: Supports Manakudi Estuary mangroves, birds, marine life; hydrobiological significance.​
