The conservation of entire Silent Valley forest area is vital to
ensure the perennial flow of water through the Bharathapuzha,
the Bhavani and the Cauvery providing water to Kerala, Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka. The Kunthipuzha, which originates from the
Silent Valley National Park area, is the main source of water
for Bharathapuzha, Kerala’s longest river. It provides drinking
and irrigation water to the districts of Palakkad, Malappuram
and Thrissur. A tributary of the Bhavani that originates on the
eastern side of the Silent Valley forest area is the perennial
source of water for this major inter-State river. Its protection
is vital for drinking water and irrigation water projects in a
couple of districts of Tamil Nadu. It later empties into the
Cauvery. Thus the protection of the Silent Valley and its
adjacent forests that form the core area of the Nilgiri
Biosphere is vital for the peaceful sharing of the water sources
of three major rivers by the three neighboring States. This
major benefit to the people of