Urging the Erode Corporation not to protect the unauthorised building on Kanirowther Lake by closing a portion of the lake and laying a road on it, members of Neerodai , an organisation that works for the restoration and protection of water bodies, attempted to besiege the civic body’s office, but were prevented by police here on Thursday.
Led by its president Nilavan, the members gathered at Panneerselvam Park to stage the protest. They said the size of the lake was reduced from over 40 acres to 14.40 acres due to encroachments. The District Revenue Officer and the Madras High Court had ordered the Corporation to demolish the unauthorised building constructed on the lake.
The civic body, instead of demolishing the building, was attempting to lay road along the building so that the structure was protected. “The Corporation is attempting to convert the lake into a small pond that is condemnable,” the members added. Water from the lake was earlier used to irrigate 50 acre and the lake served as a major source for groundwater recharge in the area.
The members said the court had issued orders twice asking the civic body to demolish the building. But the Erode Local Planning Authority and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning had recommended the Corporation to demolish the building and permit the owner to construct a new building as per the law. The members urged the civic body to demolish the building and protect the water body.
When they attempted to march towards the Corporation office to lay siege to it, they were removed by the police.
