Here’s the background to our lake story.
While creating havoc, the floods of 2015 filled up many lakes in and around Chennai, including the Perungudi Lake. Spread over nearly 57 acres, the lake was filled almost to its full capacity and it was an enchanting sight. On the flip side, there were many floating objects, including plastic wastes. With this, people residing in the vicinity of the lake undertook a clean-up of the lake and its bunds. The group felt the need for networking with the objective of ensuring the lake’s protection and environmental health.
First lake festival
The volunteers thought it fit have a unique lake festival called Perungudi Lake Festival to celebrate the filling of the lake and and raise awareness about the importance of preserving waterbodies in general and the Perungudi lake in particular. The first edition of the lake festival took place on 26 January, 2016 in Kurinji Nagar. Theme-based cultural events, a photo exhibition, drawing and essay competitions for the school and college students and an on-the-spot rangoli contest were part of the celebrations.
Association formed
Driven by the success of Perungudi Lake Festival (PLF) 2016, the group felt the need to create an interface between residents and government agencies such as Public Works Department, Greater Chennai Corporation and Police for realising its vision. As a first step towards achieving this goal, the group had to have legal status. And is was decided that an Association called PLANET (Perungudi Lake Area Neighbourhood Environmental Transformation) Association had to be formed. The Association was formally registered under Societies Act in the same year.
Water Monitoring Day
The first major activity after the formation of PLANET Association was observing World Water Monitoring Day in the form of a rally around the lake. The event was aptly called ‘Walk the Lake”.
Lake festival 2017
The second edition of Perungudi Lake Festival was conducted in February 2017, in Kamaraj Nagar. The organising committee scaled up the events to reach a larger audience.
The on-the-spot drawing competition had a record participation of around 500 children. There were many stalls exhibiting various things. There was folk music and dance performances by children of schools in Perungudi and these imparted a carnival-like atmosphere to the festival. There was a unique photo exhibition focussed entirely on the Perungudi lake. The highlight of the second edition of the lake festival was the participation of Janangalin Kalaignar Dr. Vivekh.
The third edition
The third edition of Perungudi Lake Festival, which will be held on February 10, is based on the theme — Clean > Green > Serene. The focus of PLF 2018 will be networking among residents’ groups committed to protecting their lakes. Many events have been conceived in localities around the Perungudi lake to ensure variety and larger participation.
PLANET Association invites volunteers to help the organising committee of PLF 2018. For details, call Sajeevan, secretary of PLF, at 9841163634.
( Suresh Kuppuswamy is a key member of PLANET Association. )
