A Survey of Kulams - Bridging Lanka

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Sri Lanka, February, 2015

A Survey of Kulams

Water retention basins in the Mannar urban area

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Acknowledgements

The writer of this report wishes to thank the following people for their

care and concern for the kulams of Mannar:

Special thanks to the Government Agent Mannar, Mr. M.Y.S.

Deshapriya, for recognizing the importance of the kulams to the survival

of the Mannar urban area and initiating the process of protection and

rehabilitation of these natural resources.

I am grateful for the participation of a strong and commitment team who

contributed significant time to mapping the kulams of Mannar. The field

team comprised:

Mr. Pooranasandiran Anuthasan, Project Engineer, UNOPS

Mr. S. James Jesuthasan. Vice Chairman, Mannar Urban Council

Mr. P. Sinclair, Liaison Officer, Bridging Lanka

Mr. Eero Piirisalu, Volunteer, Tallinn, Estonia

Mr. Graham Burgdorf, Volunteer, Brisbane, Australia

Mr. Jeremy Liyanage. Director, Bridging Lanka

℗ 2015 Bridging Lanka (Guarantee) Limited

Divisional Secretariat Mannar

Urban Council Mannar

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CONTENTS

1.0 Executive Summary ............................................................ 6

1.1. Issue of filling kulams and flooding established ...................... 6

1.2. GA acts to address kulam issues .............................................. 6

1.3. Objective .................................................................................. 7

1.4. Gathering data ......................................................................... 7

1.5. The impact if kulams continue to be filled .............................. 7

1.6. Saving priority kulams ............................................................. 7

1.7. Recommendations ................................................................... 8

2.0 Introduction ......................................................................... 10

3.0 Background .......................................................................... 10

3.1. Mannar context ..................................................................... 10

3.2. The importance of kulams to Mannar ................................... 10

3.3. Categories of tanks ................................................................ 11

3.4. Kulams and human security .................................................. 11

3.5. Initiatives to reduce flooding ................................................. 12

3.6. Saving priority kulams ........................................................... 12

4.0 Methodology ....................................................................... 13

4.1. Field visits ............................................................................... 13

4.2. Interviews with government agencies ................................... 13

4.3. Interviews with residents with historical knowledge ............ 13

4.4. Community forum .................................................................. 13

4.5. Summary table and maps....................................................... 14

5.0 Summary Table: Kulams in the Mannar Urban Area ......... 16

6.0 The Kulams of Mannar: Descriptive notes, maps

and visuals .................................................................................. 26

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A Survey of Kulams: Water retention basins in the Mannar urban area

1.0 Executive Summary

1.1. Issue of filling kulams and flooding established

The clear linkage between the destruction of kulams by ongoing and

unabated encroachment and the serious issue of annual flooding in the

Mannar urban area has been established. Agencies including the United

Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Bridging Lanka are

working with the relevant authorities to bring awareness to the public

about the consequences of filling kulams - human and environmental

disasters where people in their thousands are displaced by flood waters.

In recent reports including Mannarin Marumalarchi 2022: The people’s

plan (2012) and Mannar Town Plan: Community Consultation

Workshops (2012), warnings were issued about the consequences of

ongoing encroachment of kulams leading to increased flooding. Clearly,

this has become an issue of human security.

1.2. GA acts to address kulam issues

On 13th November, 2014, at a meeting organised by UNOPS to provide

an update on its drainage program, a number of kulam-related issues

were raised. The encroachment of kulams and drainage catchment

areas by the erection of boundary walls, toilet pits and landfill were

blocking drainage paths and negating the benefits of UNOPS’ work. In

response, the Government Agent Mannar (GA) asked the Divisional

Secretary (DS) to list out the tanks and identify the clear boundaries of

each, with the details of the responsible government party.

Nedun Kulam

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This report is a summary of available information about the kulams of

Mannar and includes a series of recommendations for swift action to

save the remnant water bodies for the benefit of current and future

generations of Mannar residents.

1.3. Objective

This report aims to bring fresh awareness of the importance of the

kulams of Mannar in:

a) Reducing flooding through a natural, effective drainage system;

b) Recharging ground water for use in times of drought;

c) Rehabilitating kulams as clean recreational spaces for present

and future generations to enjoy;

d) Minimizing the public health consequences of floodwaters.

1.4. Gathering data

UNOPS, Bridging Lanka, the Mannar Urban Council (UC) and the

Divisional Secretariat undertook a mapping exercise to identify and

document the kulams in the urban area. The process involved gathering

information through field visits to the kulams, interviews with residents

who had historical knowledge about the kulams and discussions with

officers from government agencies. The findings were summarized in a

quick reference table and augmented with maps which compared 2006

(denoted by a yellow outline) with 2014 kulam boundaries.

1.5. The impact if kulams continue to be filled

The clear message to emerge from the kulam survey was that the future

viability of large sections of Mannar’s urban precinct was under threat if

the encroachment and filling of kulams continued. Of the 26 kulams

studied, only two were not assessed as high priority for protection.

Almost all played a pivotal role in the UNOPS flood mitigation program

or were essential to prevent hundreds of houses or whole Grama

Niladhari (GN) divisions being inundated with flood waters thus causing

serious disruption to human settlement and wellbeing.

1.6. Saving priority kulams

As an urgent priority, it was identified that the following kulams had to be

safeguarded and rehabilitated to ensure the effective functioning of

UNOPS draining works and to reduce the effects of flooding1:

1 Priority listing provided by UNOPS project engineer.

1. Town Pond … (no. 5)

2. Kempai Kulam … (no. 7)

3. Vatta Kulam … (no. 6)

4. Nedun Kulam ,,, (no. 10)

5. Attalai Kulam … (no. 14)

6. Uppu Kulam … (no. 4)

7. Sinnachchi Kulam …(no. 9)

8. Karuthavadda Kulam … (no. 15)

9. Thaamarai Kulam … (no. 11)

Town Pond behind Manthai West Petrol Shed

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1.7. Recommendations

1.7.1 That the Government Agent Mannar (GA):

Endorses the kulam report and its recommendations;

Undertakes a field visit, organised by UNOPS, of priority

kulams to personally see the connection between the filling

of kulams and the flooding of Mannar, accompanied by the

DS and DS Land Officers;

Investigate the public health consequences of floodwaters,

including mosquito infestations. Dengue outbreaks and

pathogenic infections due to toilet block overflows;

Calls a meeting of relevant stakeholders to determine

ownership and caretaker roles of each kulam, including the

DS, DS Land Officers, Assistant Commissioner Agrarian

Department, Assistant Director Agricultural Department,

Regional Director Health Services Mannar and UC

Chairman, Vice Chair and Secretary;

Assigns responsibility for the ongoing protection and

maintenance of kulams to specific bodies eg DS and UC;

Commissions the Rural Development Societies (RDS) and

Women’s Rural Development Societies (WRDS) to have

overall custodianship of kulams;

Ensures that the practice of granting land to people either in

low lying areas or in or near kulams is stopped as a matter

of emergency;

Endorses UNOPS, Bridging Lanka and other interested

parties to rehabilitate the kulams through drainage-sensitive,

people-centred and visually attractive designs, suitable

earth and drainage works and landscaping for kulam

rehabilitation for recreational purposes.

Flooded private property in Emil Nagar

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1.7.2 That the Divisional Secretariat Mannar Town:

Ceases the practice of granting land to people either in low

lying areas or in or near kulams as a matter of emergency;

Instructs the Land Officers to clear non-permanent items

and structures from priority kulams and UNOPS drainage

catchment areas e.g. boundary walls, fences, sand, rocks or

other landfill substances;

Instructs the DS Land Officers to visit each encroached

property to determine whether the inhabitants have legal

documents or deeds to the land, and to take action if there

is no legal authority;

Identifies sources of funding to provide financial subsidies to

householders who have encroached kulams and who agree

to undertake remedial action eg moving soakage pits 30

metres away from kulam boundaries or demolishing toilets

to avoid water contamination in kulams.

1.7.3 That the Mannar Urban Council:

Formulates a by-law protecting the kulams and deals with

cases of serious encroachment;

Cooperates with the DS to remove obstructions to UNOPS’

drainage channels including buildings, boundary walls,

fence posts and landfill items.

1.7.4 That the Mannarin Marumalarchi Trust:

Undertakes community awareness campaigns through RDS

and WRDS groups in the vicinity of the kulams to promote

environmental conservation, encourage anti-litter behaviour

and organize syramadhanas for garbage clean-ups.

Organises the conducting of consultations with the public

residing near kulams, in partnership with the GA, UC,

UNOS, RDS and WRDS, to negotiate kulam boundaries so

as to stop further encroachment;

Karuthavadda Kulam behind IOC petrol shed

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A Survey of Kulams Mannar Urban Area

2.0 Introduction

On 13th November, 2014, at a UNOPS presentation to the Government

Agent Mannar (GA) on matters of drainage, the issue of the filling of

kulams (minor tanks or water bodies) and the consequential flooding of

Mannar was raised. After much discussion the GA, M.Y.S Deshapriya,

asked that the ownership of all the kulams be first established before a

response was determined.2

On 3rd

December, staff of UNOPS, Bridging Lanka and Mannar Urban

Council commenced a program of mapping the kulams in the urban area

in order to protect them from further encroachment and destruction. The

team worked closely with the Mannar Divisional Secretariat’s Land

Division and the Centre for Disaster Management.

3.0 Background

3.1. Mannar context

Mannar District, in the north-west of Sri Lanka, comprises of a large

sand island connected by a causeway to the mainland. The island,

situated in the arid zone, is the seat of administration and the urban

centre. The mainland, in the dry zone, consists of more rural

settlements.

2 Minutes of the Steering Committee of the UNOPS Drainage Project, 13

th

November, 2014, held at the GA’s Conference Hall, Mannar Kachcheri.

Mannar’s dry season (February to September) is generally hot and dry

and its wet season (October to January) is moderately cool and wet with

a high probability of a deluge with flooding of low-lying areas resulting in

immense human misery.

3.2. The importance of kulams to Mannar

Mannar Town had almost 80 kulams in the late 19th century. They acted

as water retention basins and an effective drainage system for this low-

lying area. The kulams occurred both naturally and were also

constructed in order for the people to escape the effects of the wet

season’s floods.

Encroached Thaamarai Kulam near convent

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The kulams are an integral part of Mannar’s history, folklore and cultural

heritage. Both Muslims and Hindus considered many of the kulams as

holy. They were used for bathing and were also believed to have

medicinal properties. Historical records indicate that King Sankili, who

reigned over northern Sri Lanka from Nallur, Jaffna, in the 16th century,

constructed some of the kulams.3

3.3. Categories of tanks

In Sri Lanka a system of tanks or water bodies both for irrigation and

non-irrigation purposes have existed for centuries. Major and medium

scale tanks come under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department

3 Xavier, R. (2013) A Brief Historical View of Moor Street and Nedunkulam Pond. Sources for the paper include, The History and the Tradition of the Muslims in Mannar, by Muslim Religious and Traditional Affairs Department; The Traditions of Pesalai Community, by S.A. Miranda, and the verbal testimony of the people in Moor Street.

while minor tanks both working and abandoned are government

controlled but managed at divisional and district level by farm

organisations under the Department of Agrarian Development. These

tanks were for cultivation and domestic uses.

On Mannar Island, the majority of minor tanks or kulams are not used for

cultivation and therefore fall neither within the charter of the Irrigation

Department nor the Department of Agrarian Development. Instead they

come under the purview of the Divisional Secretariat. These minor tanks

serve primarily as water retention basins for the absorption of excess

water during the wet season. They are drainage kulams which improve

ground water systems and provide quality water especially in times of

drought.

3.4. Kulams and human security

Alas, the knowledge of the significance of the ponds and their capacity

to protect settlements against inundation was lost with the passing of

time. Successive administrations and residents alike encroached upon

the kulams, filling them in for constructing private housing, public

buildings and roads. The result of the demise of the kulam has been

serious annual flooding throughout the urban area – a significant issue

of human security. Each year, thousands of families are either displaced

due to flooding or are affected as rising waters enter compounds and

dwellings. An additional and dire consequence is the public health

consequences of floodwaters. This includes mosquito infestations and

the rapid increase of dengue fever notifications between 2013 and 2014

and also pathogenic infections due to toilet block overflows.

The remaining twenty or so kulams are mostly polluted, disused and

shrinking in size. They face the real threat of further encroachment and

elimination if no action is taken to influence the behaviour of the public

and decision-makers regarding the importance of kulams to matters of

human security. If stern action is not taken against encroachment and

Encroachment of Emil Nagar Major Kulam

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the issuing of land for new settlements in areas near kulams, Mannar

faces dire prospects of more substantial inundation in the near future.

3.5. Initiatives to reduce flooding

To address the perennial problem of flooding, UNOPS commenced

major drainage and flood mitigation design and implementation in twelve

catchment areas in 2008. UNOPS involvement will continue until 2017.

Of the 12 catchments originally planned, eight will be completed at a

cost of SLRs 850 million.

The direct connection between the filling of kulams and the subsequent

flooding of Mannar, however, was first made at the Mannarin

Marumalarchi 2022 (renaissance of Mannar) public forum in late 2011.

Eminent urban designer, Mr. Lalith Muthukumarana, warned against the

destruction of the kulams and elaborated on the dire consequences of

such actions.4

Subsequently, residents and technical officers who attended workshops

to comment on the Urban Development Authority’s initial concepts for a

new town plan for Mannar, expressed strong opposition to plans to fill

some kulams. This response was heeded and the preservation and

rehabilitation of kulams has now become an important feature of current

drainage designs.5

In June and July, 2014, at the request of the DS Mannar, a team of town

planners, engineers and a landscape architect from Australia worked

with their local counterparts to develop drainage and housing solutions

for the village of Santhipuram. More than 150 materially impoverished

4 Liyanage, J. (2012) Mannarin Marumalarchi 2022: The people’s plan, p31.

5 Ponnuthurai, P. & Liyanage, J. (2012) Mannar Town Plan: Community Consult-

ation Workshops, p8.

householders are displaced for between one and four months each year

as a result of flooding. 6

Currently Bridging Lanka and UNOPS are working closely with the local

authorities to rehabilitate a list of priority kulams in order to increase their

effectiveness as a flood mitigation facility and also to transform the

kulams into attractive recreational precincts in an urban environment

where there is little open and recreational space.

3.6. Saving priority kulams

As an initial and urgent priority, the following kulams7

must be

safeguarded and rehabilitated to ensure the effective functioning of the

UNOPS draining works and to reduce the effects of flooding:

1. Town Pond … (no. 5)

2. Kempai Kulam … (no. 7)

3. Vatta Kulam … (no. 6)

4. Nedun Kulam ,,, (no. 10)

5. Attalai Kulam … (no. 14)

6. Uppu Kulam … (no. 4)

7. Sinnachchi Kulam …(no. 9)

8. Karuthavadda Kulam … (no. 15)

9. Thaamarai Kulam … (no. 11)

(refer to the Summary Table: Kulams in the Mannar Urban Area commencing on

page 15 for more details of each kulam)

6 Males, D., Dunn, S., Lorback, S., Hurley, J., Wijesinghe, P. (2014) Santhipuram

- From hardship to heroes: Drainage, housing and village improvement. 7 Priority listing provided by UNOPS project engineer.

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4.0 Methodology

4.1. Field visits

The kulams in the Mannar urban precinct were visited by the staff of

UNOPS, Bridging Lanka and the Mannar Urban Council during three

field trips between December 2014 and January 2015.

The kulams were photographed and specific characteristics recorded,

for example, the extent of encroachment, whether the kulam was crucial

to UNOPS drainage program, the estimated area of the water body, the

number of houses that would be affected or flooded if the kulam was

filled, and what surrounded the kulam, whether paths, roads, houses or

open space.

This information was augmented by discussions with residents who lived

near the kulams. This helped to gain new knowledge and to also refine

other details about the kulam, including its name, any historical or

cultural significance and water levels during both the dry and wet

seasons.

4.2. Interviews with government agencies

Before any serious response to preserve or rehabilitate the kulams could

be taken, the question of ownership needed to be determined.

Discussions were held with officers from the Department of Irrigation in

Colombo and the Mannar DS’s Land Division to determine responsibility.

It was later decided to include other parties in such discussions including

the Assistant Commissioner Agrarian Department, the Assistant Director

Agricultural Department and the Chairman, Vice Chairman and

Secretary of the UC.

4.3. Interviews with residents with historical

knowledge

One workshop was held to which older residents were invited to share

their historical knowledge of the ponds. Memories of size and usage

contrasted to current realities. It was decided to include a comparison of

2006 and 2014 kulam boundaries to determine recent encroachment.

4.4. Community forum

On 11th December, 2014, a community meeting was organised by the

Rural Development Society of Chavatkattu to trial the first community

awareness forum about the significance of kulams to Mannar residents’

wellbeing and also to gauge the response of local people to the severe

encroachment that had taken place at Attalai Kulam. Fifteen residents

and ten officers attended and a number of remedial action were

explored.

Encroachment of Cheddi Ottu Kulam next to Sinnakadai GS Office

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4.5. Summary table and maps

Kulam-specific information was summarized in tabular form denoting

kulam name, size in acres, number of months with water, status

(background information), the impact if the kulam was filled, interested

parties, priority and actions to be taken. Also included was one page of

information about each kulam including photographs and a map of the

kulam (taken in 2014) in the dry season with the kulam boundaries taken

in the wet season of 2006 superimposed in yellow. It gives some

indication of the contrast between high and low water marks.

Santhipuram’s annual floods

Going home from school, Santhipuram

In the dry season when there’s no water around

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5.0 Summary Table: Kulams in the Mannar Urban Area

No Name & Location Acres Water/ months

Status Impact if kulam is

filled Parties of interest

Priority Action to be taken

1 Kamak Kulam

Next to St Lucia’s Playground, Pallimunai

Catchment C

GN Division: Pallimunai East

0.5 6

Sea water inflow via canal;

Needs sluice gate;

4-5ft deep at Nov 2014;

The kulam is small but deep;

Main floodgate at sea near Forty-nine Housing Scheme;

UDA will renovate kulam;

Good for recreation.

30 houses belonging to fishermen will flood.

DS

UC

UDA

District Environmental Officer

RDS/WRDS

Medium Erect boundary markers;

Repair floodgate at sea near Forty-nine Housing Scheme;

Install sluice gate;

UDA to renovate kulam for recreation;

Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam;

Send letters to residents around the kulam to give awareness to keep it clean.

2 Vannar Kulam

Behind baobab tree near St. Antony’s Church, Pallimunai

Catchment C

GN Division: Pallimunai West

3 12

UNOPS completed drainage system for area in 2009;

Currently being encroached and more possibility for encroachment;

Dumping of garbage occurs.

All of Pallimunai will flood.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Erect boundary markers;

Stop ongoing encroachment;



3 Annai Illam Kulam

In front of Annai Illam Girls’ Hostel, Pallimunai East

Catchment D

GN Division: Uppukulam North

0.25 10

Intense lotus growth;

Boundary posts erected in centre of pond;

Rumours that the hostel will fill 50% of the kulam;

Flooded during wet season;

No outlet for the area so all water drains into kulam;

Kulam very important as a water retention basin to stop flooding.

50 houses will flood in Pallimunai East.

DS

UC


Annai Illam Girls’ Hostel

RDS/WRDS


Remove posts from pond;

Negotiate with RDS and WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam;

Discuss the importance of the pond with hostel to prevent any further encroachment;



4 Uppu Kulam

Next to Amman Kovil, Uppukulam

2 10

People wash their vehicles on one side and bathe and wash clothes on the other;

Maintained by RDS and

Sithi Vinayagar Kovil ground will flood;

500 houses in

RDS

DS

UC

UNOPS

High UNOPS to renovate this pond after April 2015;

Mark kulam boundaries;

Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be

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Catchment B

GN Division: Uppukulam North

Hindu Kovil for bathing;

UNOPs drainage goes through this kulam.

Uppukulam will flood.

RDS/WRDS


caretakers of the kulam;


5 Town Pond

Mannar Town, behind former police station and near People’s Bank

Catchment A

GN Division: Uppukulam South

1 12

UNOPS completed drainage work in 2008. When commenced, kulam was very large but now shrinking fast through severe encroachment which is blocking UNOPS sub drain;

The kulam is encroached by 3 houses (1 house provided by Housing Scheme);

Three foundations in kulam;

Encroachment occurs with 5 wheelbarrows of soil deposited daily.

Entire Uppukulam West GN Division – 300 houses – will flood;

Encroachment of two houses will affect flooding of 300 houses;

All of Kashmir Rd and entire Uppukulam South area will flood.

DS

UC

RDS/WRDS


High Stop encroachment immediately;

Expand kulam for effective water retention;

Unblock UNOPS drainage path;


Take legal action if necessary;



6 Vatta Kulam

Near MOH Office; behind Al Azar National School

Catchment A

GN Division: Uppukulam South

1 10

Severe encroachment;

The kulam drains water from school, playground and surrounding areas;

Five properties have encroached into the kulam

Garbage is dumped in the kulam;

Women bathe here;

UNOPS subdrain starts from this kulam – work was completed in 2008.

60 houses will flood.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Maintain current boundaries otherwise significant drainage problems will occur;




7 Kempai Kulam

Off Esplanade Road, next to the old UNDP office

0.5 12

Severe encroachment by many houses

Parapet wall constructed in kulam

Agrarian Development Services, DS Office,

DS

UC

District Environmen

High Stop further encroachment and remove parapet wall;

Clean kulam and clear path for drainage;


18





Catchment A

GN Division: Moor Street

The kulam connects one of Catchment A sub drains to main drain

Picturesque with abundant bird life

Agricultural Dept Office, private shops and government quarters will flood.

tal Officer

RDS/WRDS Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be

caretakers of the kulam;


8 Muthaliyar Kulam

Near New St, behind Rice Mill, Uppukulam

Catchment B


0

0

Kulam almost completely filled and totally encroached;

Permanent structures in kulam are currently affecting the drainage of the new Moor Street area.

Houses in new Moor Street area currently flood because kulam has been filled.

DS Low Too late – it is no longer a kulam;

Good example of the impact of filling kulams.

9 Sinnachchi Kulam

Near New St, behind Rice Mill, Uppukulam

Catchment B


0.5 9

Earmarked by UNOPS for rehabilitation in 2015;

One of UNOPS’ sub drains will start at this kulam;

No other kulams in the area so important water retention facility.

Moor Street area will be affected and more than 100 houses will flood.

DS

UC

UNOPS


RDS/WRDS

High Immediate stop to further encroaching;

Erect boundary markers;



10

Nedun Kulam

Behind St Xavier’s Boy’s College on north side and Moor St on south side

Catchment E

GN Division: Sinnakadai

3 12

One of the larger kulams in Mannar;

Badly encroached over the years and now by the 13 Housing Scheme dwellings;

College dumps garbage in the kulam;

UNOPS has already surveyed the kulam and drainage construction work to connect kulam to the sea has already started;

UNOPS plans earthworks

Moor Street, Kaddupalli area and Muththamil Nagar will be affected and 500 houses will flood.

DS

UC

UNOPS

RDS/WRDS

St Xavier’s Boys’ College

Bridging Lanka

RDS/WRDS


High UNOPS plans to renovate pond between April and Sept 2015;

Mark boundaries immediately;

Identify legal background - gather information from former court cases and Land Officers;



19





after April 2015;

Bridging Lanka has completed a plan for beautification/recreation.

11 Thaamarai Kulam (Lotus Pond)

Close to St Xavier’s Girls’ College

Catchment K

GN Division: Sinnakadai

2 12

Heavy encroachment;

Two foundations in the kulam;

Part of UNOPS drainage plan for 2015 and potential UNOPS work in 2016;

Said that land had been allocated for Girls’ College playground;

College has erected fence.

More than 50 houses will flood;

Five inlets and one outlet will be blocked;

Whole of Sinnakadai and Pettah areas will flood and more than 1,000 houses will be affected.

DS

UC

RDS/WRDS

UNOPS

UDA

St Xavier’s Girls’ College


High Illegal boundary posts need to be removed;

Clarify kulam ownership and conditions;

Identify what action can be taken to stop College building in kulam;

UNOPS will rehabilitate the kulam but needs to be with the owner’s permission;



12 Arthur’s Pond

Near Kadaleri Veethy (Sea Beach) Rd, Pannankattukottu

Catchment J

GN Division: Pannankattukottu East

0.3 8

UNOPS Catchment J drainage starts from this kulam and is essential. Have to save this pond;

Severely encroached with kulam divided by fences;

The area is below sea level.

Pannankattukottu West GN Division will be affected and 50 houses will flood.

DS

UC

UNOPS


RDS/WRDS

High Establish ownership;




13 Cheddi Ottu Kulam

Between Hospital Rd. and St. Sebastian Rd., Pallakai, close to hotel under construction

3 12

GS office has encroached the kulam and its toilet is close to the water;

Excess water goes to the sea through existing drainage at Santhipuram.

The low lying areas of Sinnakadai will be affected and more than 200 houses will flood.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Remove toilet soakage pit away from water’s edge;




20





Catchment H GN Division: Sinnakadai

14 Attalai Kulam

Near Annaivelankanny Church in Chavatkattu

Catchment E

GN Division: Chavatkattu

4 12

Severely encroached;

Properties expand in size by constructing fences;

All drainage water from the stadium, Thalaimannar Road and Stadium come to this pond;

It is the junction for three drains (one outlet and two inlets).

More than 100 houses around the kulam will flood;

More than 15 acres will be affected.

DS

UC

UNOPS

RDS/WRDS


High UNOPS to survey in April 2015 with work to be completed by Sept 2015;

UNOPS will mark boundaries with UC’s and DS help;

Demolish 2 foundations and a toilet in kulam;

Move toilet soakage pits in surrounding area – identify funding for subsidies;

UNOPS will renovate kulam with UC;

Stop encroachment/take legal action;



15 Karuthavadda Kulam

Behind IOC Petrol Shed Catchment E GN Division: Sinnakadai

0.5 4

Site of UNOPs ongoing drainage work commenced in 2014;

High tide seawater enters kulam;

Severe and ongoing encroachment through filling of sand, broken concrete blocks and soil

UNOPS can renovate kulam if allowed;

Kulam is divided by a road and connection is blocked between both sides;

One partially built house in kulam;

20 houses will flood;

UNOPS drainage will not function properly;

New housing development will be affected.

DS

UC

UNOPS

RDS/WRDS


High Establish ownership of kulam;


Take strong action against person who is currently filling the kulam;

Renovate kulam (UNOPS);



21





Kulam stops sea water coming to the land;

As it is a drainage junction, pond is very important.

16 Emil Nagar Minor Kulam

Near Annalingam Traders and the cement road at Poondymatha Church

Catchment H

GN Division: Emil Nagar

0.25 6

Nearby house flooded as neighbours have raised the level of the adjoining properties. To get to the outside toilet, residents use raft or wade through knee high water;

Only water catchment in the area;

There is no outlet to this kulam.

50 houses in Emil Nagar will flood.

DS

UC

RDS/WRDS


High Establish kulam boundary markers;

Construct drainage to connect kulam to the Dutch Canal;

Provide fill to raise level of affected property to stop flooding;



17 Proposed Kulam Pannankattukottu West

Station Road, Pannankattukottu West

Catchment J

GN Division: Pannankattukottu West

15 6

For six months of the year the entire 15 acres is under water;

New kulam needs to be constructed to reduce the flooding in Santhipuram;

DS has granted 10 acres of land to build a church, school and children’s park in centre of proposed kulam;

Statue of Mary erected in the centre to stop encroachment.

A quarter of Mannar urban area will be under water.

DS

Fishermen’s Society, Pannankattukottu West

UNOPS

UC


Bridging Lanka

RDS/WRDS

High Conduct negotiations with Pannankattukottu West Committee re proposed kulam;

Discuss proposal with DS, DMC, UC;


Incorporate proposed kulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project;



18 Emil Nagar Major Kulam

Past Poondymatha Church near Dutch Canal

0.5 10

Deep kulam;

One of the oldest ponds in the area;

Rehabilitated 50 years ago - sluice gate constructed and bunds raised;

Future planned settlements will flood;

Ten existing houses will flood.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Construct drainage to connect kulam to the Dutch Canal;



22





Catchment H


Catchment area is 10 acres of barren land;

People bathe here;

Ponds useful for rainwater harvesting as it is low land at sea level;

No outlet for kulam.

19 Earumai Kulam

Behind primary school, Santhipuram

Catchment I

GN Division: South Bar

3 8

A drinking spot for stray animals;

Potential to be a water retention basin after earthworks.

100 houses will flood.

DS

UC


Bridging Lanka

DMC

RDS/WRDS

High Outlet to be connected to Old Dutch Canal;


Bridging Lanka to develop funding application to DMC to implement major drainage project as described in “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project.

20 Periyakamam Moddai Kulam

Near RDS building, Periyakamam

Catchment F

GN Division: Eluthoor

5 12

Important because there is no outlet;

Acts as a water retention facility and mitigates against flooding.

100 houses in Periyakamam will flood.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS


Stop encroachment;



21 Suhirtham Kulam

Opposite Garment factory, Periyakamam, next to 100 housing scheme close to Thalaimannar Rd

Catchment F

GN Division:

1.5 6

Owned by Land Reform Commission;

No drainage outlet for the area;

Pipes have been filled;

No outlet or inlet;

Severe encroaching currently occurring.

More than 150 houses will be affected.

Claimed as private land

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Stop encroachment;


Investigate the potential for constructing an outlet across Thalaimannar Rd just inside boundaries of Garment factory for linking kulam to the sea;



23





Eluthoor

22 Periyakamam (Jam Fruit Tree) Kulam

In front of children's park close to Periyakamam RDS and playground

Catchment F


1 9

No outlet;

Water retaining facility;

Good not salty water;

Potential rehabilitation project for Bridging Lanka.

50 houses in Periyakamam will flood.

Land Reform Commission

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

Bridging Lanka


Undertake community consultation for kulam rehabilitation; could be used as a demonstration project by Bridging Lanka;



23 Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam

Eluthoor/ Tharawankottai Village

Catchment G


5 12

UNDP renovated kulam in 2009 for dhobis to wash hospital linen;

School being built next door;

If kulam is expanded it will be useful for draining of Jeevapuram and Eluthoor;

If kulam is connected to CTB Kulam and Koraikulam this may be an effective solution for Santhipuram;

More than 1,000 could benefit from this development.

Not great effect because the catchment is substantial for such a small kulam but if expanded it has great drainage usefulness.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

High Expand and deepen the area of the kulam;


Investigate whether connecting the kulam to CTB Kulam and Koraikulam will reduce flooding in Santhipuram;

Include kulam connection with Koraikulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project;



24 Aiyamottai Kulam

Behind Eluthoor School

Catchment G


2 6

Picturesque water body with abundant wildlife;

In and outlet;

A temporary house, toilet, change room and boundary posts in kulam;

Periphery littered with

25 houses will be affected.

DS

UC


RDS/WRDS

Medium Establish boundary markers;

Remove dwelling, toilet and posts from kulam;

Potential rehabilitation of pond as a tourist and recreational site;

Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam.

24





garbage;

Woman has been granted 10 perches of land by former DS but has built the dwelling adjacent to this land in the hope of claiming a larger portion.

25 Panikkarmoddai (CTB) Kulam

Close to CTB, Thalvupadu Road and Hindu Temple

Catchment G


1 6

Encroachment on one side of road;

Used for cleaning vehicles;

Suggestion to connect kulam to Santhipuram kulam and linked to Suhirtham Kulam;

Mannar to Thalvupadu left side of pond encroached by erection of fences;

Important for water course from CTB Kulam to Koraikulam for Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam.

Future housing schemes will be affected.

DS

UC


CTB

RDS/WRDS

High Remove fence posts;

Prohibit vehicle washing in the kulam;



Send letters to residents around the kulam to give awareness to keep it clean;

Investigate whether connecting the Panikkarmoddai (CTB) Kulam to the Dhobis Kulam and Korai Kulam will reduce flooding in Santhipuram.

26 Korai Kulam

Near Tharapuram Junction, between railway track and Thalaimannar Rd. (outside Urban Council Area) Catchment G GN Division: Tharapuram

>100 6

Minor irrigation tank

In 1987 this kulam served as 48 acres of paddy land;

Renovated in 2008 by NEIS;

During the wet season 20 acres of the left side of the kulam is flooded;

Water could be used;

Kulam could be linked to CTB and Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam;

Currently there is no outlet.

Agrarian Department


RDS/WRDS

High Investigate feasibility of an outlet under main road to the sea via culverts;

Investigate whether connecting the Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam to Panikkarmoddai (CTB) Kulam and Koraikulam will reduce flooding in Santhipuram;

Include kulam connection with Koraikulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project.

25

26

6.0 The Kulams of Mannar: Descriptive notes, maps and visual

1.

1. Kamak Kulam 2. Vannar Kulam 3. Annai Illam Kulam 4. Uppu Kulam 5. Town Pond 6. Vatta Kulam 7. Kempai Kulam

8. Muthaliyar Kulam

9. Sinnachchi Kulam

10. Nedun Kulam 11. Thaamarai Kulam (Lotus Pond)

12. Arthur’s Pond 13. Cheddi Ottu Kulam

14. Attalai Kulam

15. Karuthavadda Kulam

16. Emil Nagar Minor Kulam

17. Proposed Kulam Pannankattukottu West

18. Emil Nagar Major Kulam

19. Earumai Kulam

20. Periyakamam Moddai Kulam

21. Suhirtham Kulam

22. Periyakamam (Jam Fruit Tree) Kulam

23. Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam

24. Aiyamottai Kulam 25. Panikkarmoddai (CTB) Kulam

26. Korai Kulam

N

27

1. Kamak Kulam

Size: 0.5 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Next to St Lucia’s Playground, Pallimunai GN Division: Pallimunai East Surrounds: One side is playground, one side road and other two sides coconut estates UNOPS: Catchment C Background: Good for recreation; small but deep (4-5 ft at Nov 2014) Priority: Medium

Issues: Sea water influx through canal due to dysfunctional flood gate at sea near Forty-nine Housing Scheme

If filled: 30 houses belonging to fishermen will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UDA, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Repair flood gate;

Install sluice gate to prevent sea water entry;

Kulam to be renovated by UDA;



28

2. Vannar Kulam

Size: 3 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Behind baobab tree close to st. Antony’s Church, Pallimunai GN Division: Pallimunai West Surrounds: Two sides roads and the other two sides houses UNOPS: Catchment C; the drainage system for the area completed in 2009 by UNOPS Background: Collects water from the area and is starting point of main drain of Catchment C Priority: High Issues: Currently being encroached and more possibility for encroachment; the kulam area

is used for the dumping of garbage If filled: All of Pallimunai will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Stop ongoing encroachment;



29

3. Annai Illam Kulam

Size: .25 acres

Water for: 10 months Location: In front of Annai Illam Girls’ Hostel, Pallimunai East GN Division: Uppukulam North Surrounds: On two sides houses and one side road UNOPS: Catchment D Background: Kulam very important as a water retention basin to stop flooding; dense lotus

growth Priority: High Issues: Floods during wet season; serious encroachment with boundary posts erected in

the centre of the kulam; rumours that the hostel will fill 50% of the kulam If filled: 50 houses will flood in Pallimunai East Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, Annai Illam Girls’ Hostel, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Remove posts;

Discuss Pond importance with hostel to prevent further encroachment;



30

4. Uppu Kulam

Size: 2 acres

Water for: 10 months Location: Next to Amman Kovil, Uppukulam GN Division: Uppukulam North Surrounds: One side houses, one side Sithyvinayagar Kovil and two sides road UNOPS: Catchment B; UNOPS renovation work starts here after April 2015 Background: UNOPs drainage goes through this kulam; used for bathing and washing of clothes;

maintained by RDS and Hindu Kovil for bathing Priority: High Issues: People wash vehicles in the kulam If filled: Sithi Vinayagar Kovil ground and 500 houses in Uppukulam will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: RDS, DS, UC, UNOPS, RDS/WRDS, District Environmental Officer. Recommendations:

UNOPS to renovate this kulam after April, 2015;

Mark boundaries;

Connect to drainage;

Prohibit vehicles from being washed in kulam;



31

5. Town Pond

Size: 1 acre

Water for: 12 months Location: Mannar Town, behind former police station GN Division: Uppukulam South Surrounds: Petrol shed, People’s Bank, pathway on one side; other sides houses UNOPS: Catchment A; UNOPS completed drainage work in 2008 but now the kulam size has

significantly decreased and sub drain blocked by encroachment Background: Essential part of UNOPS drainage plan Priority: High Issues: Encroached by 3 houses (1 house provided by Housing Scheme), 3 foundations in

pond, actively filled (5 wheel barrows of soil deposited daily), encroachment blocks UNOPS’ subdrain

If filled: Encroachment of two houses will flood entire Uppukulam West GN Division (300 houses), all of Kashmir Rd and entire Uppukulam South area

Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, RDS/WRDS, District Environmental Officer.

Recommendations:

Stop encroachment immediately and unblock drainage path;

Expand water body to improve water retention;

Mark boundaries and take legal action if necessary;

Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam and bring awareness of littering.

32

6. Vatta Kulam

Size: 1 acre

Water for: 10 months Location: Near MOH Office; behind Al Azar National School GN Division: Uppukulam South Surrounds: Surrounded by houses UNOPS: Catchment A; UNOPS’ subdrain starts from this kulam; work finished in 2008 Background: Only kulam into which drains water from the school, playground and adjoining

areas; women use the kulam for bathing Priority: High Issues: Severe encroachment with 5 properties expanded into the kulam; garbage is

dumped into the kulam If filled: 60 houses will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Maintain current boundaries to avoid potential significant drainage problems;



33

7. Kempai Kulam

Size: 0.5 acre

Water for: 12 months Location: Off Esplanade Road, next to the old UNDP office GN Division: Moor Street Surrounds: Surrounded by houses and roads UNOPS: The kulam connects one of Catchment A sub drains to main drain Background: Parapet wall constructed in kulam; picturesque with abundant bird life Priority: High Issues: Severe encroachment by many houses If filled: Agrarian Department, DS Office, Agricultural Department Office, private shops

and government quarters will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Stop further encroachment and remove parapet wall;

Clean kulam and clear path for drainage;




34

8. Muthaliyar Kulam

Size: 0.0 acre

Water for: 0 months Location: Near New St, behind Rice Mill GN Division: Moor Street Surrounds: Two sides houses, one side encroached houses being built, one side bund UNOPS: Catchment B Background: It is too late to save this kulam; a good example of the impact of filling kulams;

water entered many premises in the area due to the kulam being filled Priority: High Issues: The kulam is almost completely filled; badly encroached with permanent

structures in kulam are currently affecting the drainage of New Moor Street area

If filled: Houses in new Moor Street area are currently flooded due to destruction of kulam

Ownership: Stakeholders: DS.

Recommendation:

Too late.

35

9. Sinnachchi Kulam

Size: 0.5 acres

Water for: 9 months Location: Near New St, behind Rice Mill, Uppukulam GN Division: Moor Street Surrounds: One side path; one side houses; two sides bare land UNOPS: Catchment B; earmarked for rehabilitation in 2015 Background: One of UNOPS subdrains will start from this kulam, important water retention

facility since it is the only kulam in the area Priority: High Issues: Encroachment

If filled: Moor Street area will be affected and more than 100 houses will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS.

Recommendations:

Stop encroachment immediately ;

Mark boundaries;



36

10. Nedun Kulam

Size: 3 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Behind St Xavier’s Boy’s College on north side and Moor St on south side GN Division: Sinnakadai Surrounds: College, Moor St, cement road with pathways on two sides UNOPS: Catchment E; UNOPS has surveyed the kulam and connection to the sea started,

plan for earthworks after April 2015 Background: One of the larger kulams in Mannar; Bridging Lanka has undertaken significant

community consultation and completed a plan for beautification and recreation Priority: High Issues: Badly encroached over years and now by the 13 Housing Scheme houses; previous

court case, College has blocked rehabilitation work and dumps garbage in the kulam.

If filled: Moor Street, Kaddupalli area and Muththamil Nagar will be affected and 500 houses will flood

Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, RDS/WRDS, St Xavier’ College, Bridging Lanka, Environment Officer.

Recommendations:

Renovate by UNOPS between April and September 2015;

Mark boundaries immediately;

Gather information on past legal cases and other background material from Land Officers;

Send letters to college and residents around the kulam to give awareness to keep it clean;

Rehabilitation of kulam by UNOPS, Bridging Lanka and other interested parties.

37

11. Thaamarai Kulam

(Lotus Pond)

Size: 2 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Close to St Xavier’s Girls’ College GN Division: Sinnakadai Surrounds: Three sides road and two houses in the middle of kulam UNOPS: Catchment K; potential project in 2016 and UNOPS drainage plan in 2015 Background: Very important as there are 2 sub drain inlets here

Priority: High Issues: Heavy encroachment with 2 foundations in the pond; Said that land had been

allocated for Girls’ College playground for which fence has been erected If filled: More than 50 houses will flood; five inlets and one outlet will be blocked; whole

of Sinnakadai and Pettah areas will flood and more than 1,000 houses will be affected

Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, RDS/WRDS, UNOPS, UDA, St Xavier’s Girls’ College, Environment Officer. Recommendations:

Remove illegal boundary posts;

Clarify kulam ownership and conditions;

Identify what action can be taken to stop College building in kulam;

Rehabilitate the kulam by UNOPS (needs owner’s permission);



38

12. Arthur’s Pond

Size: 0.3 acres

Water for: 8 months Location: Near Kadaleri Veethi, Pannankattukottu GN Division: Pannankattukottu East Surrounds: Surrounded by houses UNOPS: Catchment J; UNOPS’ Catchment J drainage starts from this pond Background: Essential part of UNOPS’ drainage system so saving it is crucial Priority: High Issues: Severly encroached with dividing by fences; the area is below sea level If filled: Pannankattukottu West GN Division will be affected and 50 houses will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark Boundaries;

Establish ownership;



39

13. Cheddi Ottu Kulam

Size: 3 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Between Hospital Rd and St. Sebastian Rd, Pallakai and next to hotel being built GN Division: Sinnakadai Surrounds: One side road and three sides housing UNOPS: Catchment H Background: Excess water goes to the sea through existing drainage at Santhipuram Priority: High Issues: GS office has encroached the kulam and it’s toilet soakage pit built in the pond If filled: The low lying areas of Sinnakadai will be affected and more than 200 houses will

flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recomendations:

Move toilet soakage pit 30 feet away from kulam boundary;

Mark boundaries;



40

14. Attalai Kulam

Size: 3 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Chavatkattu, near Annaivelankanny Church GN Division: Chavatkattu Surrounds: Houses on four sides; two sides lanes UNOPS: Catchment E; UNOPS work starts in April 2015 Background: All drainage water from the stadium and Thalaimannar Road come to that pond

junction for 3 drains (two otlets and one inlet) Priority: High Issues: Severly encroached by properties erecting fences for expanding their area; 2

foundations and toilet in the kulam; toilet soakage pits are too close to kulam If filled: More than 100 houses near kulam will flood; more than 15 acres affected Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

UNOPS to survey in April 2015 with work to be completed by Sept 2015;

Mark boundaries by UNOPS with UC’s and DS help;

Demolish 2 old foundations and a toilet in the kulam;

Move soakage pits 30 feet from water and identify funding for subsidies;

Renovate the Kulam by UNOPS with UC;

Widen the existing Inlet drain from De La Sal, demolish private boundary;



41

15. Karuthavadda

Size: 0.5 acres

Water for: 4 months Location: Behind IOC petrol Shed GN Division: Sinnakadai Surrounds: Two sides roads; one side UNOPS main drainage; one side bare land UNOPS: Catchment E; ongoing drainage work, commenced in 2014; UNOPS can renovate if

allowed Background: UNOPS main drain goes through the pond, Kulam stops seawater from

coming to the land, importantdrainage junction Priority: High Issues: Severe and ongoing encroachment through filling of sand, broken concrete

blocks and soil; one partially built house in kulam; the kulam is divided by a road and connection is blocked; seawater enters kulam during high tide

If filled: 20 houses will flood; UNOPS’ drainage will not function properly; new housing development will be affected

Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, RDS/WRDS, District Environmental Officer. Recommendations:

Establish ownership of kulam and mark boundaries;

Take strong action against filling (against the person who is currently filling)the kulam;

Renovate kulam (UNOPS) if allowed;

Negotiate with RDS/WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam and make public aware of littering.

42

Kulam

43

16. Emil Nagar Minor

Kulam

Size: 0.25 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Two sides road and three sides houses GN Division: Emil Nagar Surrounds: Near Annalingam Traders and Poondymatha cement Rd UNOPS: Catchment H Background: Only water collector in the are, there is no outlet to the kulam Priority: High Issues: Nearby house flooded due to raised land by adjoining properties so knee high

water between the house and toilet; RDS claims kulam as theirs with an ongoing dispute between DS and RDS

If filled: 50 houses in Emil Nagar will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, RDS/WRDS, District Environmental Officer.

Recommendations:

Resolve dispute between RDS and DS;

Mark boundaries;

Connect to Dutch Cana by constructing drainage;

Provide fill to raise level of affected property to stop flooding;



44

17. Proposed Kulam at

Pannankattukottu West

Size: 15 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Station Rd, Pannankattuukottu West GN Division: Pannankattuukottu West Surrounds: On one boundary is Station Rd; surrounded by houses UNOPS: Catchment J Background: Will reduce flooding in Santhipuram Priority: High Issues: For six months of the year the entire 15 acres is under water; DS has granted 10

acres of land for church, school and children’s park to be built in centre of proposed kulam; statue of Mary erected in the centre of the area to stop encroachment

If filled: A quarter of Mannar urban area will be under water Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, Fishermen’s Society Pannankattukottu West, UNOPS, UC, Bridging Lanka,

District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS.

Recommendations:

Conduct negotiations with Pannankattukottu West Committee re proposed kulam;

Discuss proposal with DS, DMC, UC;

Mark boundaries;

Incorporate proposed kulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project;



45

18. Emil Nagar Major

Kulam

Size: 0.5 acres

Water for: 10 months Location: Bund on all sides GN Division: Emil Nagar Surrounds: On one boundary is Station Rd; surrounded by houses UNOPS: Catchment H Background: Rehabilitated 50 years ago - sluice gate constructed and bunds raised; one of

the oldest ponds in the area; pond is useful for rainwater harvesting, people use for bathing; deep kulam; catchment area is 10 acres of barren land

Priority: High Issues: Encroachment; no outlet If filled: Future planned settlements and 10 existing houses will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Raise the bund;

Connect to dutch canal by constructing drainage;



46

47

19. Earumai Kulam

Size: 3 acres

Water for: 8 months Location: Behind Santhipuram old primary school, Santhipuram GN Division: South Bar Surrounds: One side railway, one side road and school and two sides are lowlands UNOPS: Catchment I Background: Potential to be a water retention basin after earthworks; a drinking spot for stray

animals Priority: High Issues: Nil If filled: 100 houses will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, Bridging Lanka, DMC, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Connect outlet to Old Dutch canal;


Bridging Lanka to develop funding application to DMC to implement major drainage project as described in, “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project.

48

20. Periyakamam

Moddai Kulam

49

Size: 5 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Next to RDS building, Periyakamam GN Division: Eluthoor Surrounds: Houses and vacant lots UNOPS: Catchment F Background: No outlet – important for water retention, mitigates against floods Priority: High Issues: Encroachment If filled: 100 houses in Periyakamam will flood Ownership: Urban Council Mannar Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Stop encroachment;



50

21. Suhirtham Kulam

Size: 1.5 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Opposite Timex Garment factory, next to hundred housing scheme, close to

Thalaimannar Rd, Periyakamam GN Division: Eluthoor Surrounds: Surrounded by houses; a road divides the pond UNOPS: Catchment F Background: Claimed as private land Priority: High Issues: Actively and severly encroached by filling errected markers and boundary wall in

the kulam, pipes under road have been filled; no outlet or inlet for the kulam and also no outlet for the area

If filled: More than 150 houses will be affected Ownership: Land Reform Commission Stakeholders: Claimed as private land, DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS.

Recommendations:

Establish ownership;

Stop encroachment;

Mark boundaries;

Investigate the potential for outlet across Thalaimannar Road and inside boundaries of the garment factory for linking kulam to the sea;



51

22. Periyakamam (Jam Fruit Tree) Kulam

Size: 1 acre

Water for: 9 months Location: In front of children's Park, close to RDS and playground, Periyakamam GN Division: Eluthoor Surrounds: Pathway on three sides UNOPS: Catchment F Background: Good model of development; only pond in area; imortant water retaining facility

because there is no outlet, good quality water; potential rehabilitation project for Bridging Lanka

Priority: High Issues: No outlet If filled: 50 houses in Periyakamam will flood Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS, Bridging Lanka. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Undertake community consultation for kulam rehabilitation;

Could be used as a demonstration project by Bridging Lanka;



52

23. Tharawankottai

Dhobis Kulam

Size: 5 acres

Water for: 12 months Location: Next to Eluthoor/Tharawankottai Village GN Division: Emil Nagar Surrounds: One side road; one side houses; two sides bare lowlands UNOPS: Catchment G Background: Potential solultion to Santhipuram flooding problem where 1,000 households could

benefit; could be used for draining of Jeevapuram and Eluthoor; UNDP renovated in 2009 for dhobis to wash hospital linen; school being built nearby

Priority: High Issues: Nil If filled: Not great effect because the catchment is substantial for such a small kulam but if

expanded it has great drainage usefulness Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, UNOPS, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Expand and deepen the kulam, and mark boundaries;

Investigate whether connecting Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam to Panikkarmoddai (CTB) Kulam and Korai Kulam will reduce flooding in Santhipuram;

Include kulam connection with Koraikulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram Drainage, Housing & Village Improvement” project;


53

24. Aiyamottai Kulam

Size: 2 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Behind Eluthoor school GN Division: Eluthoor Surrounds: Pathway and bare land surrounds pond except for one temporary hut UNOPS: Catchment J Background: A temporary house, toilet, change room and boundary posts in kulam; periphery

littered with garbage; a woman has been granted 10 perches of land by former DS but has built the dwelling adjacent to this land to claim a larger portion

Priority: High Issues: Picturesque water body with abundant wildlife; existing inlet and outlet If filled: 25 houses will be affected and a loss of birdlife Ownership: Stakeholders: DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Mark boundaries;

Remove dwelling, toilet and posts;

Potential rehabilitation of pond as a tourist and recreational site;


54

55

25. Panikkarmoddai

Size: 1 acre

Water for: 6 months Location: Close to CTB, Thalvupadu Road and Hindu Temple GN Division: Eluthoor Surrounds: One side is road; other sides are bare land UNOPS: Catchment G Background: Potential part of the solultion to Santhipuram flooding problem; important for

water course to Koraikulam from Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam Priority: High Issues: Encroached by errecting fences; used for cleaning vehicles If filled: Future housing schemes will be affected Ownership: Private ownership Stakeholders: Owner, DS, UC, District Environmental Officer, CTB, RDS/WRDS.

Recommendations:

Identify owners;

Remove posts;

Prohibit vehicle washing in the kulam;

Mark boundaries to stop encroaching;

Investigate level of CTB Kulam and Koraikulam to determine the feasibility of connecting the Panikkarmoddai Kulam to the Dhobis and Korai Kulams to reduce Santhipuram flooding;

Negotiate with owner, RDS and WRDS to be caretakers of the kulam.

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(CTB) Kulam

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26. Korai Kulam

Size: >100 acres

Water for: 6 months Location: Near Tharapuram Junction, between railway track and Thalaimannar Rd GN Division: Tharapuram Surrounds: Road on one side; the rest is lowlands UNOPS: Catchment G Background: Renovated in 2008 by NEIS; important bird habitat; good quality water; In 1987 this

kulam served as 48 acres of paddy land; during the wet season 20 acres of the left side of the kulam is flooded; kulam could be linked to CTB and Tharawankottai Dhobis Kulam; no outlet

Priority: High Issues: Potential of this kulam is unrealised If filled: Ownership: Stakeholders: Agrarian Department, District Environmental Officer, RDS/WRDS. Recommendations:

Investigate feasibility of building an outlet to the sea under the road via culverts;

Investigate potential for solution of Santhipuram flooding problem;

Determine maximum water level;

Include kulam connection with Koraikulam in Bridging Lanka’s “Santhipuram drainage; Housing & Village Improvement” project.

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℗ 2015

Documents

A Survey of Kulams - Bridging Lanka