CSR need · Tamil Nadu
CSR projects in Salem
Salem has 1,766 government schools, 96% of them rural, in a district with groundwater over-exploited, fluoride in groundwater, saline groundwater and 47% of water bodies not in use. The figures below come from the School GIS list of government schools, CGWB's groundwater assessment and water quality tests, and the national census of water bodies.
Salem at a glance
| Measure | Salem |
|---|---|
| Government schools | 1,766: 1,109 primary, 367 up to class 8, 290 secondary or higher |
| Rural schools | 96% |
| Schools beyond the distance norm to the next level | 45 (3%) |
| Tribal or social welfare schools | 78 |
| Groundwater used against recharge, 2025 | 148% (over-exploited), up 2 points since 2017 |
| Found above the drinking water limit | salinity (high TDS) and fluoride |
| Ponds, tanks and other water bodies | 896, of which 418 not in use and 18 encroached |
School list as of the 2021 School GIS snapshot; water figures as on the linked pages.
Projects that fit
- Safe drinking water in schools: RO or fluoride-removal units with a rainwater tank, since tests found salinity (high TDS) and fluoride in Salem's groundwater.
- Rainwater harvesting and recharge in school campuses: about ₹1.1 lakh to ₹1.7 lakh per recharge point with a 120 ft bore. See the cost in Salem.
- Pond and tank revival: 418 water bodies in Salem are not in use. Desilting a one-acre pond costs about ₹9 lakh to ₹15 lakh. See pond rejuvenation.
- Girls' toilets, handwashing stations and repairs, checked school by school against UDISE+ report cards.
Before funding
Shortlist schools from data, then check each against its UDISE+ report card and visit the best few with the headteacher and School Management Committee. Our school selection guide has a 100-point scorecard for this.
Check the numbers for your area
Frequently asked questions
How many government schools are there in Salem?
1,766 in the 2021 School GIS list: 1,109 primary only, 367 up to class 8 and 290 with secondary or higher classes.
Is groundwater in Salem over-exploited?
In CGWB's 2025 assessment Salem used 148% (over-exploited) of its extractable groundwater.