Residents of Avadi allege encroachments are fast eating into whatever little remains of ‘Paaleripattu’ Lake.
A section of residents have taken up the issue with authorities of the revenue department and submitted a petition seeking urgent measures to put an end to unauthorised constructions.
“For nearly 20 years, the lake has been encroached upon. It was spread over 40 acres once, but has now been reduced to a mere four acres,” said Mohammed Ilyas, a resident who submitted the petition to the Avadi tahsildar. Residents fear groundwater quality will be affected, as it is the only lake in a seven-km radius.
The tahsildar, who received the petition, said they will survey the area and check allegations of unauthorised construction in the lake and then decide on the future course of action.