Water Bodies Finder - Tamil Nadu

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Water Bodies Finder - Tamil Nadu

Click on any location to check if it's within a water body. Explore 119,797 mapped lakes, ponds, tanks, and reservoirs across Tamil Nadu. Get details including water body type, area, ownership, and conservation information.

Click anywhere on the map to check water body
Water Body Types
Tank
Pond
Lake
Reservoir
Other

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Complete Guide to Tamil Nadu Water Bodies

Overview of Water Bodies in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a rich heritage of traditional water management systems with 119,797 mapped water bodies including tanks, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. These water bodies are crucial for agriculture, drinking water supply, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation. The state's water infrastructure includes both ancient systems like the Eri (tank) system and modern reservoirs created by dams.

119,797

Total Water Bodies

38

Districts Covered

15,000+

PWD Managed

1,000

Lost in 50 Years

Types of Water Bodies
  • Tanks (Eri): Traditional irrigation structures that form the backbone of Tamil Nadu's agricultural water supply. These are typically earthen reservoirs with bunds.
  • Ponds (Kulam): Small community water sources used for domestic purposes, livestock, and maintaining local ecosystems.
  • Lakes: Large natural or artificial water bodies with significant storage capacity, often serving multiple purposes.
  • Ooranis: Traditional drinking water ponds unique to Tamil Nadu, typically found in village centers.
  • Reservoirs: Created by dams for water storage, irrigation, and sometimes power generation.
  • Rivers: Natural flowing water bodies connecting various watersheds.
  • Canals: Artificial waterways for irrigation or water transport.
  • Temple Tanks: Sacred water bodies associated with temples, serving both religious and community purposes.
Managing Authorities

Water bodies in Tamil Nadu are managed by multiple government departments:

  • Public Works Department (PWD): Manages major irrigation tanks, dams, and large water bodies. Responsible for about 15,000 water bodies.
  • Panchayat Union: Manages village-level water bodies, including ponds and small tanks.
  • Municipality/Corporation: Manages urban water bodies and maintains water supply infrastructure.
  • Revenue Department: Maintains land records and ownership details of water bodies.
  • HR&CE Department: Manages temple tanks and water bodies associated with religious institutions.
  • Department of Fisheries: Manages water bodies used for aquaculture and fishing activities.
Conservation Challenges
Critical Alert: About 1,000 water bodies have disappeared in Tamil Nadu over the past 50 years due to encroachment, urbanization, and neglect. Active conservation efforts are crucial for protecting remaining water bodies.

Major challenges facing water body conservation:

  • Encroachment: Illegal occupation of water body areas for construction and other purposes.
  • Pollution: Discharge of sewage and industrial effluents into water bodies.
  • Siltation: Accumulation of silt reducing storage capacity - 90% of water bodies haven't been desilted in 20 years.
  • Lack of Maintenance: Inadequate funding and administrative gaps in regular maintenance.
  • Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns affecting water availability.
  • Groundwater Depletion: Over-extraction of groundwater affecting recharge systems.
Legal Protection

Water bodies in Tamil Nadu are protected under various laws:

  • Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act 2007: Provides legal framework for protecting tanks from encroachment with penalties including imprisonment up to 3 years.
  • Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act 1994: Empowers local bodies to maintain and protect village water bodies.
  • Environmental Protection Act 1986: Protects water bodies from pollution and environmental degradation.
  • Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017: Provides protection for wetlands and associated ecosystems.
  • Tamil Nadu Groundwater Act 2003: Regulates groundwater extraction near water bodies.
Conservation Initiatives

Various government programs are working to restore and protect water bodies:

  • Kudimaramathu Scheme: Traditional water bodies restoration program involving community participation.
  • Mission for Green Tamil Nadu: Comprehensive environmental protection including water body conservation.
  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan: National water conservation campaign with focus on rainwater harvesting.
  • NABARD Projects: Funding for water conservation and watershed management.
  • TWAD Board Initiatives: Restoration and rejuvenation of water bodies for water supply.
How to Report Encroachment
Report Violations: Contact District Collector, Tahsildar, or PWD officials. File complaints through CM Helpline 1100 or use the online grievance portal.

Steps to report encroachment:

  1. Document the encroachment with photographs and location details
  2. File a written complaint with the local Tahsildar office
  3. Submit online complaint at CM Helpline Portal
  4. Contact PWD officials for water bodies under their jurisdiction
  5. Follow up regularly on the complaint status
  6. Approach District Collector if no action is taken
How You Can Help

Everyone can contribute to water body conservation:

  • Do not dump waste or pollutants into water bodies
  • Report any illegal encroachment to authorities immediately
  • Participate in community cleaning and desilting drives
  • Prevent sewage discharge into water bodies
  • Support rainwater harvesting to recharge water bodies
  • Plant trees around water bodies to prevent soil erosion
  • Avoid using chemical pesticides near water bodies
  • Report illegal sand mining or unauthorized water extraction
  • Create awareness about water conservation in your community
Important Resources
Government Departments:
Conservation Programs:
  • Kudimaramathu Scheme - Traditional restoration
  • Mission for Green Tamil Nadu
  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Water conservation
  • NABARD Water Conservation Projects
  • Community-based restoration programs
Disclaimer

This water bodies finder tool uses official Tamil Nadu GIS data with 119,797 mapped water bodies. The information is provided for general awareness and educational purposes. For legal matters, land records verification, or official purposes, please consult the concerned government departments. Water body boundaries and ownership details may change over time. Always verify current status with local authorities before making any decisions. The tool aims to promote water conservation awareness and help citizens understand the distribution and status of water bodies in Tamil Nadu.