Samudram Eri -- Sand Quarrying Devastation

The Samudram Eri is approximately 700 acres of poramboke land located south of Arunachala. It is indispensable to Tiruvanamalai in its function as a massive water catchment area during the monsoon season. From the Eri, a pumping system sends its water to other catchment areas such as Thamari Nagar Tank, which are essential parts of the Tiruvannamalai's water supply. 

The Samudram Eri has been a valued part of the ecological system of Tiruvannamalai for hundreds of years but sadly we are not treating it with the respect it deserves. Already Tamil Nadu has a severe water shortage, and it is truly madness to destroy the existing system we currently have in order to provide lucrative gains for the very few. 

About 10 years ago industrial level sand quarrying started in the Tiruvannamalai area. Previously the Eri was undisturbed except approximately every 15 years encroaching thorny bush cover was felled. This occurred again about 3 years ago, which unfortunately gave even greater unfettered access to heavy sand quarrying machinery on the Samudram Eri. 

About a month ago sand quarrying on the Eri was halted, as to whether or not it starts again, only time will tell. But for the well being and future of our children and grandchildren, it is hoped that we begin to treat our ever diminishing resources with greater respect. 

Just a small part of the Samudram Eri devastation

Sand quarrying has created massive holes throughout the Eri

Numerous quarries throughout are now interferring with the water table

Some of these unnatural lakes are 20-30 feet deep and many acres in size

Deforestated Eri will be turned into massive quarries if work recommences

View of private farms and forestated land at the edges of the Samudram Eri

View of trees on top of the Samudram Eri bund

Magnificent Banyan Tree on Bund -- wonder how long it will be standing?

Part of the Samudram Eri trying to recover from the massive deforestation which occured several years ago

The Wonderful Palmyra and Nungu Fruit

Borassus Flabellifer also known as the Asian Palmyra Palm, Toddy Palm, or Sugar Palm, is native to India and the official tree of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the “Karpaha Veruksham” (Celestial Tree) because all its parts have a use. 

At Samudram Eri bund. Cluster of Palmyra Trees back right

Borassus Flabellifer is a robust tree which reaches to a height of up to 100 feet and lives more than 100 years. In the initial stage, the young Palmyra grows slowly, but grows faster with age. It has fan shaped leaves. Ringed with leaf scars, the large trunk of the tree bears a resemblance to that of the coconut tree. The fruit of the tree, in Tamil “Nungu” is also commonly known by the name “Ice Apple” which was originally coined by the British in India. The tender fruit resembles ice. Scoop out the contents and drop it in a glass of tender coconut water. Keep it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes and have a delicious drink. 

Palmyra Trees back left of Horse

The fruit of this tree is borne in clusters and is about 4 to 7 inches in diameter with a black shell. Inside the black shell are three sweet jelly seed sockets covered by a thin, yellowish-brown skin. The fleshy white body contains watery fluid; however the fibrous and ripened outer layer of the palm can also be eaten raw, boiled or roasted. 

Cluster of older, taller Palmyra Trees

The Nungu fruit is valued for its nutritional benefits. It is known to; prevent chicken pox, improve digestion, cool the body, good for acidity, acts as an anti-inflamatory, helps eliminate body toxins, useful as an expectorant and laxative, good for ulcers, liver and spleen disorders and prevents constipation in pregnant women. However when using palm fruit its important to use tender fruit, as over ripe fruits will be hard to digest and may cause stomach problems. 

Large number of unripe fruit in Female Tree

Once the Nungu fruit has been opened it does not last well, so should be used immediately. The fruit’s rapid fermentation over the course of a mere three hours is the main reason why villagers use Nungu as a fast, inexpensive and easy source of alcohol. The sap of the tree involves tapping the top shoots and collecting the dripping juice in hanging earthen pots. The freshly collected juice is very refreshing and not intoxicating but will quickly ferment into an alcoholic drink i.e. “toddy”. 

Male Palmyra Tree

The leaves of the Borassus Flabellifer are used for thatching, mats, baskets, umbrellas and writing material. Literature in ancient Tamil Nad was written in preserved Palm leaves known as Olai Chuvadi. The writing utensil was in the form of a sharpened iron piece called an Eluthani. 

The stem of the leaves of this Tree has thorny edges which can be used to construct fences by nailing the thorny edge leaves together. The skin of the stem can be peeled off and used as rope. All parts of the tree and fruit are utilised. 

Fully ripened Nungus

The Nungu season generally runs from May through August. Nungus turn a brilliant shade of deep, blackish purple when fully ripened. Full-sized fruits share the same size and shape of large eggplant, although their tough texture resembles a coconut. 

Cluster of ripe Nungus

If not intended for immediate consumption, choose to scoop out each section intact, with the tan, fibrous skin still encasing the pod. This preserves the life of Nungu (placed in a fridge) by a day or so. 

Each section has been scooped out intact. Water sac surrounded by fibrous covering

Video showing Opening Nungu Fruit

Ring Road, Pictorial History July 2014

Yesterday, Sunday July 20, on my way home from the Rangammal Hospital and my appointment with Dr. Ratna Vel a visiting dermatologist from Apollo Hospital, Chennai, decided to walk back via the Ring Road which is currently under construction. 

The almost 2 km section of the Ring Road I was walking on, cuts through virgin countryside at the back of the Samudram Eri south of Arunachala. The area is very familiar to me as I often walked my doggies through the hitherto unspoilt countryside at the back of the Samudram. 

I recently talked with an Engineer involved in the Ring Road construction and he mentioned that this section of the road is expected to be fully completed and open within 2 years. 

The road is being built to eventually accommodate 4 traffic lanes

Perumbakkam road bisecting the Ring Road at junction

Road although unoffically opened is already being used by local traffic

View of farmland from the Ring Road

One of the many culverts that will be run under the Road carrying water to the Samudram Eri

Large country house, its 10 acre land has been bisected by the encroaching Ring Road

Lorries and even local buses already using this section of the Ring Road

Another Farm which has been bisected by the ring Road

Small community of Samudram Village

View of Samudram Eri with Arunachala Hill in the background

Another Culvert being incorporated under the Ring Road

Closer view of the same culvert, water will be channelled onto the Samudram underneath the bridge

Some house nearby is going to be getting a nice thatched roof!

View of the beautiful hills surrounding this part of Tiruvannamalai

Bund on the side of the Samudram Eri, nearly at my destination