Resident welfare associations of localities in Sembakkam and Madipakkam have come together, under the auspices of Sabari Green Foundation, and formed a committee that would spearhead the restoration of the Sembakkam lake. The initiative is comparable to efforts taken to restore the Adambakkam lake, which also has a similar committee — Adambakkam Lake Rejuvenation Committee.
The Sembakkam Lake Rejuvenation Committee (SLRC) consists of members representing Muthulakshmi Nagar, Sri Sarvamangala Nagar and Saraswathi Nagar, Chitlapakkam; Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Vinobaji Nagar, Pallavaram; Thirumalai Nagar, Sembakkam, Sembakkam Civic Welfare Association, Vigneshwara Avenue, and Senthil Avenue Residents Welfare Association, Sembakkam.
“Members of the committee will be supported by around 100 environmental activists,” A. Shanmugam, coordinator, SLRC, said. V. Subramani, founder-secretary, Sabari Green Foundation, said, “It is high time steps were taken to de-silt and deepen the sprawling waterbody. With the help of volunteers from Nizhalgal, a voluntary organisation, we plan to strengthen the bunds, create ‘neer vanam’ (lake-forest) by planting saplings endemic to areas around the waterbody.”
The Foundation will also seek the support of the Sembakkam Municipality, Public Works Department and Green Crusaders of Sembakkam. Nizhalgal has created a lake-forest on the bunds of the Chitlapakkam lake. Similarly, the Foundation has formed bunds and created a lake park at Madipakkam lake, cleaned Keezhkattalai and Moovarasampet lakes and strengthened the bunds at the latter.
“We are planning to mobilise funds from the MLA and MP Fund (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) for strengthening the bunds at Keezhkattalai, Madipakkam and Sembakkam lakes,” Subramani said.
Several representations have been made to the Sembakkam Municipality to create a lake park and to arrest discharge of sewage into the waterbody.
Apart from the volunteers of Chennai Trekking Club, volunteers of NTT Data will also be part of the committee for promoting water tourism at the lake.
