The poor condition of the ‘Alankara Yeri’ (Ornamental lake) near Gandhi Park in the hill station, is proving to be an eye sore.
Drainage
Owing to its improper maintenance, the Alankara Yeri, a major tourist attraction of this hill station, is fast turning into drainage, a cross section of the local people allege.
The large number of tourists thronging this hill station round the year from across the country, as well as local people, have demanded that the Yercaud Panchayat Union take effective steps with immediate effect for the proper maintenance of the lake. The ‘Alankara Yeri’ situated in the heart of Yercaud hills receives abundant water during the monsoon months.
This helps to improve ground water level to a considerable extent in the surrounding areas and also in the domestic wells in Langilpettai and other localities.
The local people complain that the tourists have been using the area surrounding the lake as an open urinal, in the absence of public toilets in this area.
Health hazard
The human wastes get washed into the lake during monsoon season, posing a major health hazard.
Moreover, the tourists have made it a habit to consume liquor on the banks of this tank, and later throw the empty bottles and leftover food into the lake.
The presence of water hyacinth is another perennial problem affecting the quality of water.
The residents of Yercaud demand that the local body take steps to prevent the mixing of wastes into the lake, which is a major drinking water source.
They demanded construction of adequate pay and use toilet blocks in the vicinity of the lake for the benefit of the tourists and steps to prevent the people from throwing the bottles and other wastes into the lake.
