Sengani Amman Temple tank in Neelankarai has always been known for supporting a huge number of fish.
A few weeks ago, the tank was losing its fish by the hundreds every day.
On the request of Corporation officials, The Art of Living volunteers drew up a plan to treat the pond with eco enzymes.
For over six months now, in Zone XV of ward 192, The Art of Living (TAOL) has been treating many ponds with eco enzymes and also removing solid waste there, as part of its ‘Namma Ooru! Namma Kulam!’ initiative.
In consultation with a team of water management experts, TAOL volunteers ascertained the quantum of eco enzymes that would be required for the work at Sengani Amman Temple Tank. They also hired a fire engine.
The treatment was done in the presence of Corporation officials at the tank. It took over two hours to accomplish the task.
Within three days, the officials confirmed that the mortality rate of fish at the pond had come down. Dissolved oxygen, BOD (biochemical oxygen demand ) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) values were recorded before and after a week of treatment to assess the quality of water and the values showed dramatic improvement.
Local residents and officials were pleasantly surprised with these results. They also reported negligent smell from the pond.
Seeing the pond teem with fish again is a wonderful sight.
Namma Ooru! Namma Kulam! is a unique pond revival programme. It includes enzyme treatment of water to break down organic content and ensure the values are within the allowed range; de-silting and deepening the ponds and strengthening its bund to increase water storage capacity and recharge ground water; removal of solid waste and weeds from the pond; securing the pond with fence and compound walls with gates to prevent encroachments; plant trees to improve biodiversity and conduct awareness campaigns targeting local communities for sustained protection.
To join this movement, call Sekar at 99404 44678. Or, visit www.nammaoorunammakulam.org;
Facebook: facebook.com/nammaoorunammakulam Twitter: twitter.com/nammaoorukulam
(Rajalakshmi Swaminathan is a resident of R.A. Puram and a volunteer with Namma Ooru! Namma Kulam!)
