Santhosh Rajus has quit his marketing job to become a nature conservationist. At present, he is engaged in the task of protecting the Kallukuttai Lake in Velachery.
“ Twenty years ago, the lake would overflow during the monsoon. When that happened, we would fish there, ” recalls Santhosh.
As a child, he would spend numerous hours watching the birds at the lake.
Many birds, insects and reptiles, once commonly found at the lake, are rare now.
“Around the lake and near Perungudi railway station, you could easily spot 20 species of birds.. There would be a thick spread of tall grass. This grass is gradually being wiped out. A lot of grasshoppers would also feed on the crown flower plant. This plant is also being destroyed at a rapid rate,” he says
He believes the situation for many species of fish like the spotted snakehead, catfish, tilapia and climbing perch, commonly spotted in Velachery, is bleak. “Recently, I found many dead fish in a storm water drain,” he adds.
Santhosh is conducting a study on how the flora and fauna in Velachery adapt to the changing ecosystem.
He volunteers for beach cleaning drives and, during his free time, teaches children about the importance of preserving nature.
“Most of my childhood friends don’t live here anymore. If they were here, I could have roped them in. Yet, I was able to find one neighbour who shares my concern,” he says.
Santhosh Rajus is searching for more likeminded people in his neighbourhood who could help protect the biodiversity in and around Velachery, in some way.
He can be contacted at 98840 98347.
