Travel Around Tamil Nadu: Amaravathi River, Amaravathi Reservoir and Amaravathi Chrocodile Farm

Amaravathi River

Rivers in India have very beautiful names. One of the most enchanting is Amaravathi, which invokes the greenery and Kalpavriksha tree of Lord Indra's heaven. The name Amaravathi echoes the Hinduism/ Buddhist past of southern India. The Amaravathi river swells into life in the Anjanad valley (Kerala state) of the Western Ghats, whose slopes are awash with Kurinji blossoms once every 12 years, descends to the plains near Udumalaipettai, Tamil Nadu, and flows by the village where I was born and raised (Madathukulam). It is one of the longest rivers (175 km) in Tamil Nadu, with another name, Pournami which join with the river Cauvery, near Karur. Travelling along the Amaravathi can be joy, if only to watch the fields of, coconut, sugarcane, mango trees and to walk into any temple and lave in the peaceful atmosphere glowing with the faith of simple village folk.

Amaravathi Reservoir/ Dam

Amaravathi Reservoir at Amaravathinagar is located in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary/ Indira Gandhi National Park in Tamil Nadu, India. The 9.31 km², 33.53 m deep reservoir was created by the steep Amaravathi Dam built in 1957 across the Amaravathi River about 25 km upstream and south from Thirumoorthy Dam. Capacity of the dam has shrunk from 4 tmcft to 3 tmcft due to siltation. Though built primarily for irrigation and flood control, it is used generate electric city also. 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. The dam can be approached from Udumalpet by road 25 kms. The non-indigenous Tilapia fish was introduced here in the 1950s and subsequently this reservoir had highest fish yield. Other fish predators here include: Oriental Small-clawed Otters, Indian Cormorants and Indian Flap-shelled Turtles. Cast nets are commonly used for subsistence fishing.

Travelling Map

Amaravathi Dam shutters

Amaravathi Reservoir

Road Towards Amaravathi

Amaravathi Crocodile Farm

The Amaravathi Crocodile Farm, Established in 1976, the largest Crocodile nursery in India, is One km. before the Amaravathy dam site. The largest wild breeding population of Crocodiles in South India live 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. 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. Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the Farm. There are now 430 animals maintained in captivity. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild. Three Forest Department personnel manage and maintain the Centre.

Entrance Fee

1 INR

Working time

9.00 A.M. to 6.00 P.M. every day

Travelling Approach

From Coimbatore by road – via Pollachi, Udumalpet Amaravathy nagar - 96 kms.

Nearest Airport Coimbatore, Madurai

Nearest Railway Station Udumalpet, Palani

Contact person

1) Forest Range Officer, Amaravathy Range, Amaravathy nagar.

2) Wildlife Warden, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, 365/1 Meenkarai Road, Pollachi-1. Ph. No. 04259 225356

Location

One Km. before Amaravathy dam site.

Accommodation

One Forest Rest House with two suites to accommodate four persons is available near the Crocodile farm. The rent for the same is Rs.150 for two persons per day per suite.

Indian Mugger Crocodiles