TN CM Vijay Launches State-Wide Rainwater Harvesting Campaign, Unveils ‘Thuli’ Mascot

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday launched a state-wide awareness campaign to promote rainwater harvesting, unveiling a dedicated logo and a mascot named ‘Thuli’ ahead of the Northeast monsoon. The initiative aims to encourage water conservation among the public and highlight the importance of adopting rainwater harvesting systems, particularly in residential buildings.

During the launch event, Vijay inspected models of rainwater harvesting systems designed to demonstrate how rainwater can be collected and conserved. The campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the need to preserve water resources and promote practices that can help improve water availability.

The campaign’s mascot, ‘Thuli’, meaning a drop of water, has been designed as a blue water character carrying a house. The concept highlights the importance of incorporating rainwater harvesting facilities into residential structures and encouraging households to take an active role in water conservation.

The launch comes ahead of the Northeast monsoon, Tamil Nadu’s primary source of rainfall, when effective rainwater collection and storage become particularly important. The initiative also follows a petition submitted by Chennai Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in mid-September, urging the chief minister to take steps to strengthen the implementation of rainwater harvesting regulations across the city.

The associations had called for the strict enforcement of existing rainwater harvesting norms and the introduction of large-scale public awareness programmes to promote water conservation, official sources said.

Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use or directing it into the ground to replenish groundwater levels. Such systems can help households conserve water and reduce dependence on other sources, particularly during periods of limited rainfall.

The state-wide campaign is expected to draw attention to the role of households and communities in conserving water resources. By combining public awareness efforts with a recognisable mascot and dedicated logo, the initiative seeks to make rainwater harvesting more accessible and encourage wider participation in water conservation.

The launch underscores the importance of preparing for the monsoon season while promoting responsible water management across Tamil Nadu.