Environment Day: World Environment Day 2025 is observed on June 5 and the theme for this year is “Beat Plastic Pollution.” The focus is on ending plastic pollution by encouraging collective global action and real-world solutions. The campaign highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and protect our planet for future generations.

Celebration focus: The event was celebrated on 6th July 2025 at DHAN People academy. Around 150 members have participated in the event. The members were from the 12 working blocks of the Gundar basin under Axis Bank Project. The blocks are Sedapatti, T.Kallupatti, Kallikudi, Kariyapatti, Narikudi, Thiruchuli, Manamadurai, Thiruppuvanam, Kamudhi, Mudukulathur, Kadaladi, Paramakudi. The map is shown below

Further, Vayalagam works in Pudhur, Vilathikulam, Thirupulani and Thirumangalam also under other projects covering almost the entire basin.

Why Basin, Sub basin and Cascade approach ?

Water and Environment has to always looked at in an wholistic preceptive. Revival and conservation measures must be looked at in a hydrological boundary. Here the fundamental hydrological unit looked at is an Irrigation tank, after that cascade, sub basin and then finally the total river basin. Every unit is connected with each other integrally and the flow has to be from one unit to another, if any hinderance at one place can affect the whole hydrological cycle and balance. The systematic approach is needed to address the water scarcity issue as a whole.

Vayalagam to Basin Approach

• Vayalagam associations with local leaders and members at village level. Then five leaders from each Vayalagam together form Cascade association. Selected representatives from each cascade together form a Federation with 13 to 15 Executive Committee members at the block level. This will be a registered trust.
• Since the hydrological boundary of a sub-basin cannot be demarcated into block or district administrative representation, the sub-basin and basin association forum are run together but with the sub-basin perspective in mind. Five representatives from the federations represent at the sub-basin level, and all the sub-basin members together form the basin association.
• Cascade meetings and basin and sub-basin meetings will be conducted in the last week of every month.
• These associations are created to focus on the macro picture of river basin management.
• They address issues such as encroachment of river channels, streams, source points, forest cover, springs, sand mining, and other related concerns focusing on tributaries and the main river.
• They also help in the protection and management of check dams, weirs, and anicuts in the river and its tributaries.
• As these cascades of tanks are connected with channels, streams, and the river, ensuring the flow and proper maintenance of the tanks ensures water availability in these irrigation tanks.

Event Summary

The event started with the welcome address from the President, Vayalaga Movement Mr V. Durai raj. Mr James, Director, DHAN People Academy shared the purpose of the meeting. Mr Gopala Krishnan, EC Member, Vayalgam movement has shared the efforts done in Gundar river until now by Vayalgam. A Booklet on overview of Gundar river was released. Mr S Praveen Kumar shred the environment day focus ‘Beating the plastic pollution’. Mr J Mohan has spoken about the importance of not using plastics. Then he focussed the purpose, need and importance of basin and sub basin association concepts. After that, Mr Murugaiyah introduced the committee members of this Gundar basin and sub basin associations. The farmers were divided in to sub groups and came out with key declarations to strengthen this concept and associations which are listed below. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Mr Kannan, Faculty, DHAN People Academy.

Declaration by the farmers

Following key declarations were evolved by the farmers to strengthen the basin and sub basin associations, build strong social capital and revive the Gundar basin as a whole

• Key principle of Vayalagamme is the “Basin approach”. In the upcoming years, all the activities in the Basin will be done with this macro approach. Saturation from cascade to sub-basin to basin level will be promoted.
• Nodal persons are to be selected to represent respective districts for tapping and taking forward the demands from the blocks and areas in their sub-basin. These nodal persons must take part in basin-level meetings to support further proceedings and enhancements in the respective sub-basin under the Gundar Basin.
• Standard operation procedures, roles, and plans with targets for the basin and sub-basin will be developed.
• Proper representation of issues and challenges at respective district and state-level forums in terms of sub-basin and basin river management systems.
• Effective monitoring and ensuring the links between rivers, tributaries, and cascade of irrigation tanks.
• An inception document on saturation of cascades, basin, and sub-basin is to be developed.
• Real-time issues in the common channels branched from rivers are to be addressed by the promoted associations. Primary lists must be prepared in respective sub-basins for efficient operations, and these concerns should be taken forward to district administrations.
• Removal of Prosopis and other invasive species, and promotion of tree plantation in all tanks and along river bunds.
• Cascade Yatra to be organized to saturate the cascade, especially by venturing into new villages where water-related interventions are urgently needed.
• In connection with Environment Day celebrations, farmers have declared their intention to reduce the use of plastics and encourage the use of cloth bags, avoiding one-time-use polythene bags.

Event Photos