Tamilnadu Tourism: Amaravathi Dam

Amaravathi Dam

The Amaravathi Dam is a dam at Amaravathinagar, 25 kilometers (16 mi) South of Udumalaipet on SH 17 in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The associated Amaravathi Reservoir is 9.31 square kilometers (3.59 sq mi) in area and 33.53 metres (110.0 ft) deep. The dam was built primarily for irrigation and flood control and now also has four megawatts of electrical generating capacity installed.

It is notable for the significant population of Mugger Crocodiles living in its reservoir and catchment basin.

Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam
Location	Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu
Coordinates	10°24.64′N 77°15.6′E
Type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Pambar River → Chinnar River → Amaravathi River
Primary outflows	Amaravathi River
Basin countries	India
Surface area	9.31 km² (3.59 sq mi)
Max. depth	33.53 m (110.0 ft)
Water volume	3,000,000,000 cu ft (0.085 km³)
Surface elevation	427 m (1,401 ft)

History

The dam was built in 1957 during Mr. K. Kamaraj's administration across the Amaravathi River about 25 km upstream and south from Thirumoorthy Dam. Capacity of the dam has shrunk 25% from 4 tmcft to 3 tmcft due to siltation of the reservoir. During 2003-04, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board proposed to install 4 MW electric generating capacity from the dam, which is now in operation.

The dam was built primarily for irrigation and flood control. In 2005 - 2006 the state reported revenue from medium commercial irrigation from the Amaravathi Reservoir Project was Rs. 43, 51,000.

Fisheries

The non-indigenous tilapia fish was introduced here in the 1950s and subsequently this reservoir had highest fish yield in the state by the 1970s. Tilapia now accounts for a major portion of the fish caught in the reservoir.

Cast nets are commonly used for subsistence fishing. Normally, one fisherman can catch over 20 kg/day of fish here. The Fisheries department normally expects a yield of 110 tones/year of fishes from the reservoir. In 1972, a fish yield of 168 kg/ha/yr (168 kg/yr x 931 ha = 156,408 kg/yr. = 156.408 tones/yr.) was reported.

The Fisheries Department has formed the Amaravathi Nagar Tribal Fishermen Cooperative Society to give tribals fishing rights in the Amaravathi Reservoir. In 2007, fifty tribals who reside at Karattupathi settlement, close to the reservoir, enrolled themselves as members of the society and eight of them have received a fishing license.

Crocodiles Farm

The largest wild breeding population of crocodiles in South India lives in the reservoir, and in the Chinnar, Thennar and Pambar Rivers that drain into it. These broad-snouted mugger crocodiles, also known as marsh crocodiles and Persian crocodiles are the most common and widespread of the three species of crocodiles found in India. They eat fish, other reptiles, small and large mammals and are sometimes dangerous to humans. Their total wild population here is currently estimated to be 60 adults and 37 sub-adults. Other fish predators here include: Oriental small-clawed otters, Indian cormorants and Indian flap-shelled turtles.

The Amaravathi Sagar Crocodile Farm, established in 1976, the largest crocodile nursery in India, is 1 kilometer before the Amaravathy dam site. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild.

Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the farm. Many crocodiles of all sizes can be seen basking in the sun and suddenly making a stride or piled up on one another. There are now 98 crocodiles (25 male + 73 female) maintained in captivity here. Three Forest Department personnel manage and maintain the centre.

Tourism

There is a well laid-out park where one may climb steep steps on the dam to have a picturesque view north of the plains below and south to the Anaimalai Hills and Palani Hills above. Boating for tourists in the dam began on 14 January 2011. This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre for tourism.

The park and crocodile farm are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entry fees are 1 INR per adult and 50 paisa per child (below 12 years). Travel by road From Coimbatore – via Pollachi and Udumalpet to Amaravathy nagar is 96 km (60 mi).

Accommodation is available for four persons, with advance reservation, at a forest rest house near the crocodile farm. Rent is Rs.150 per day for two persons per suite.

Amaravathi Dam and Reservoir is an ideal place for a day’s outing. You could enjoy a picnic on its scenic banks. The pretty park is a great place to stroll around. Steep steps from here lead to the dam from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the plains and the Anaimalai Hills and Palani Hills. You could also go on a boat ride on the luminous waters of the reservoir. There are plenty of buses available from Coimbatore and Udumalpet to Amaravathi Dam.