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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.​

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