Thamirabarani River

Thamirabarani River Latest News

Researchers have expressed concern over the declining otter population in Tamil Nadu’s Thamirabarani River due to the increasing destruction of their natural habitat in recent years.

About Thamirabarani River

• The Thamirabarani River – also known as the Tamraparni River or Porunai River,  a rare perennial river in southern India flowing entirely through the Tamil Nadu state.  
• The river’s name is derived from “Thamiram” (copper) and “Barani” (vessel) in Tamil, referring to the copper-like hue of its waters—believed to result from dissolved minerals. 
• Porunai is its classical name in Sangam literature, where it has extensive literary references.
• Course:
  • It originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak of the Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats.
  • It flows through the Tirunelveli and Tuticorin Districts of the Tamil Nadu state into the Gulf of Mannar of the Bay of Bengal.  
• Total Length: Approx. 128 km
• Major Tributaries: Gadananathi River, the Manimuthar River, and the Pachaiyar River.  
• Prominent dams include:
  • Papanasam Dam
  • Karaiyar Dam
  • Manimuthar Dam
  • Servalar Dam
  • Gadananathi Dam
• Major Waterfalls:
  • Banatheertham Falls (132 ft, near Kariyar reservoir)
  • Agasthiyar Falls
  • Kalyana Theertham
• Biodiversity:
  • It is one of the richest rivers in the world with fish and is dominated by more than 16 species of native snakehead fish. 
  • It is estimated that nearly 669 fish species are found in the river. 
  • All the three species of otters in India, the Eurasian otter, the smooth-coated otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter, inhabit the Thamirabarani River. 

News: ETVB

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