Tamil Nadu Birds Get Water: 6,450 Concrete Troughs
A Tamil Nadu-based trust has produced and distributed thousands of bird-water troughs to urban areas over three years, aiming to help birds access drinking water during hot months. The initiative uses simple concrete troughs costing about Rs 24-30 each, funded by materials worth around Rs 18,000 for
Key takeaways
- The Iyarkkaiyai Nesi Trust created concrete bird water troughs to help urban birds access drinking water.
- Over three years, the initiative distributed more than 6,450 troughs free of charge across Tamil Nadu.
- Each trough costs roughly Rs 24-30 to produce and holds about 2 to 2.25 litres of water.
What Happened
In Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, the Iyarkkaiyai Nesi (Love Nature) Public Welfare Trust has developed durable concrete water troughs designed for birds. The troughs are made using PVC pipe molds, poured with a cement-sand mix to form a shallow basin. Each trough holds approximately 2 to 2.25 litres of water and is intended for drinking and bathing by birds. The production cost for a trough ranges from Rs 24 to Rs 30, with about Rs 18,000 worth of materials able to produce roughly 600 to 700 troughs; labour is not included in this calculation. Over the past three years, the trust has distributed more than 6,450 troughs free of charge to schools, colleges, commercial establishments, government offices, and forest departments across Tamil Nadu.
To meet demand, the team begins making troughs in December for distribution during the warmer months, typically from January to August. The project relies on volunteer labour to keep costs low and maximize distribution, and it emphasizes ongoing maintenance and refilling of the troughs as part of awareness activities around bird conservation.
Why It Matters
The initiative addresses a practical challenge: urban birds may struggle to access clean water in city environments with limited natural water sources. By providing low-cost, durable water troughs, the program aims to support birds during hot periods and encourage community participation in urban wildlife care. The approach also promotes local manufacturing using available materials and involves schools and other institutions in upkeep, expanding the conservation effort beyond a single year.
Background
The effort originated from concerns about birds in cities lacking accessible water. The founder, Vetrivel, started by placing improvised water containers during summers, initially using discarded oil tins that proved unsuitable for long-term use. The team then developed a dedicated concrete trough design and began producing troughs for widespread distribution. The troughs are made locally, using 10-inch and 8-inch circular PVC pipes as moulds, with a cement-sand mix forming a shallow basin.
Key Facts
- Location of initiative: Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
- Organising group: Iyarkkaiyai Nesi (Love Nature) Public Welfare Trust
- Materials and design: concrete troughs using PVC moulds; troughs hold 2–2.25 litres
- Production cost per trough: Rs 24–30; material cost to produce 600–700 troughs is about Rs 18,000
- Distribution: more than 6,450 troughs distributed free of charge
- Distribution period: troughs prepared in December and distributed January–August
- Recipients: schools, colleges, commercial establishments, government offices, forest departments across Tamil Nadu
What Happens Next
The article notes ongoing maintenance and refilling as part of the programme, with continued participation from schools and other institutions. No future schedule or expansion figure is provided beyond the described ongoing distribution and upkeeping activities.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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