As an indication of the growing public concern over the deteriorating condition of water bodies in the city, an enthusiastic crowd of over 3,400 people lined up near Valankulam here on Thursday for the ‘Walk for Water' campaign organised by Siruthuli to mark World Water Day.
Launching the campaign, Collector M. Karunagaran said that water requirements per person in our country had increased and so was our dependence on water sources. So, every citizen had the responsibility to protect the water bodies.
Members of Siruthuli submitted a memorandum to the Collector to initiate immediate action to conserve water bodies in the district. The members said that Siruthuli with the support of district administration and the Coimbatore Corporation would embark on a mission to protect the water bodies.
S.V. Balasubramaniam, chairman, Siruthuli, emphasised the need to conserve rainwater while Murugesa Bhoopathi, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, stressed on the need to recycle water and prevent misuse of water resources. MLA Malaravan T., also spoke.
“All the nine water tanks in the city are in a deplorable condition. We have suggested an action plan that will help revive them and ensure that they remain clean,” said Vanitha Mohan, managing trustee, Siruthuli.
According to her, the memorandum pressed for immediate steps to divert the sewage tanks that were emptied into the tanks. Tank Protection Committees should be formed to ensure that the tanks remained clean with the participation of schools, colleges and resident associations in the area. She suggested tshat CCTV cameras should be installed to identify the culprits who dumped waste into the water bodies.
Removal of water hyacinths, removing encroachments and planting saplings along the tank bunds were the other steps suggested by the NGO. The members pointed out that the construction debris and garbage had chocked the water bodies and the invasion of water hyacinths had turned them into breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies.
A live demonstration of testing the pollution level of water using pH and Parts Per Million (PPM) meters was held at the venue to make people aware of the need to keep a check on the declining quality of water. A report by the NGO showed that the water of Valankulam had turned reddish in colur and had high levels of pollution.
Saplings were planted along the tank bund during the event. Students from schools and colleges across the city, members of residents' associations, and people from all walks of life joined the rally.
“We need more plants and clean water bodies in the future. I hope that the campaign will help stop people from dumping waste into our water bodies,” said G. Madhumitha, a Standard VIII student from ABC Matriculation Higher Secondary School, one of the participants.
