Association protests against pollution in River Thenpennai

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) led a rally here to draw attention to the pollution in the River Thenpennai, which flows from Karnataka via Kelavarapalli Dam, on Tuesday (July 21, 2026).

The CPI(M) affiliated farmers association led the protest from Siddhanapalli to Kelavarapalli Dam as farmers have been witnessing the the water pollution for over a month. The waters of Kelavarapalli Dam has been a river of foam with untreated sewage dump from Karnataka, creating a chemical reaction in the flowing water of the dam.

The association demanded that the State government address the pollution caused at the source in Karnataka. According to the protesters, the pollution has affected not only the farmers in the villages along the watershed of the Kelavarapalli waters but also over six districts fed by the Thenpennai.

The pollution resulting from the sewage and effluent dump into the Thenpennai has had far-reaching impacts on aquatic life, groundwater quality, productivity, and drinking water sources for the communities dependent on these waters, the association stated.

Over 500 protesters reached the Sub Collector's office to submit their petition. The petition demanded the Tamil Nadu government intervene and pressurise the Karnataka government to rein in on the effluent dump into the water sources feeding Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, the National Green Tribunal had also called upon the governments to intervene. The association demanded that the NGT orders to maintain water quality be enforced.