The Centre for Heritage and Ecological Research through Arts and Literature (Cheral), Madurai, has urged the authorities to install information name boards containing basic details of all waterbodies in Madurai district, and other neighbouring districts like Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, among others, particularly on highway bridges.
The information name boards should contain the biodiversity value highlighting the biodiversity and ecological importance of the waterbodies.
Madurai district lies within the major drainage basins of Pambar–Kottakaraiyar, Vaigai and Gundar. More than 16 rivers, both major and minor, flow through Madurai district within the three drainage basins. Only when people become aware of the existence and importance of the rivers can a sense of responsibility and the need to protect them emerge within society, the release said.
Making the names of rivers and their courses known to the public is one of the primary steps towards protecting them. In several parts of Tamil Nadu, name boards identifying rivers can be seen on highway bridges. However, in Madurai district, many highway bridges do not have name boards identifying the rivers.
More than 10 bridges have been constructed across the Vaigai river within Madurai city limits. However, it is a matter of concern that not even one of these bridges has a clear name board displaying the words ‘Vaigai River.’
If there are no information boards bearing the name of the Vaigai river, the cradle of an ancient civilisation, even within the historic city of Madurai, how will the names and importance of the district’s other rivers become known to the public.
In addition to the Vaigai river, Kiruthumal and Sathaiyar rivers also flow through Madurai. Highway bridges across the two rivers also do not have name boards identifying the rivers, the release said.
If rivers and the biodiversity associated with them are to be protected, information about the rivers, where they originate, where they flow and their respective courses should be brought into the public domain in a manner that enables people to understand them.
The name of a river is not merely an identification marker. It represents the region’s hydrological history, geography, civilization, agriculture and biodiversity. Various departments, including the Highways Department, Tourism Department and Corporation, have installed attractive information boards highlighting the special features of Madurai at several locations across the district.
Similarly, efforts should be made to install attractive information name boards displaying the names of rivers and waterbodies. The information boards will not only communicate the importance of the waterbodies to the public, but will also enable the people to understand the hydrological, irrigation, ecological and biodiversity value, thereby creating greater public awareness and a sense of responsibility towards their protection, the press release said.
The Highways Department and the Water Resources Department should jointly take appropriate steps to install name boards on highway bridges across rivers flowing through Madurai district, so that the people can become familiar with these rivers.
Rivers play a vital role in meeting the drinking water and irrigation needs. Therefore, protecting the quality and quantity of river water, as well as maintaining its natural flow, is essential for global water security.
Due to rapid urbanisation, built-up surfaces such as roads, buildings and concrete structures are continuously increasing in Madurai. As a result, natural soil and vegetation cover are declining. Such built-up surfaces absorb large amounts of heat during the day and release it at night, thereby increasing urban temperatures.
Therefore, protecting and expanding Madurai’s green spaces and surface freshwater resources is one of the essential measures needed to address climate change. The first step towards developing awareness and taking action to protect these resources is to identify and understand what green spaces and waterbodies we have, the press release said.
Published – September 20, 2026 07:20 pm IST
