Urban ecosystems, a product of centralization are dynamic, complex and highly influenced by anthropogenic factors than the natural system. It provides market and services for both urban and rural fabrics. Madurai, the third largest city in Tamil Nadu, is a temple city and sleepless city. The ‘urban pull factor’ affected the historical hydrological system and land use land cover of the city. This affected the rural living and livelihood which compelled for ‘rural push’. Tank cascade system, one of the ancient effective water management systems, is an indigenous knowledge of surface water based civilization. Madurai City consists more than 100 irrigation tanks. These tanks are first order prey for urbanization. The tank system is affected by Solid waste disposals, encroachments, weed infestation and sewage disposal, both in tank and channel. Recent rainfall in October clearly indicated that Madurai is not safe against flood despite having tank cascade system. It is high time to revive the existing tank cascade system for its current relevance.
