Residents of Madipakkam and Sabari Green Foundation have taken up the restoration of Madipakkam Lake. The work was started, after obtaining the necessary permission from the Water Resources Department.
If restored, the lake would recharge the groundwater table in many localities of Madipakkam, including Ayyappan Nagar, Karthikeyapuram, Ram Nagar, Sathasivam Nagar and Rajaji Nagar. The surrounding localities of Puzhuthivakkam and Keezhkattalai will be benefited similarly.
“Following the heavy rain in November and December 2015, the lake was replenished. However, due to the absence of a weir, the rainwater could not be sufficiently stored ,” says V. Subramani, founder, Sabari Green Foundation.
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“According to the natural course, surplus rainwater from Madipakkam lake should flow into the Pallikaranai Marsh through Keezhkattalai Eri. But, what is happening is that the rainwater from this lake is getting discharged through water channels at Sholinganallur, East Coast Road and Okkiyam Maduvu, into the Bay of Bengal. This way, we are wasting water,” adds Subramani.
At present, a walkway exists up to the intersection of Erikarai Second Street, Lake View Main Road and Lake View Main Road Extension. The Foundation has made an appeal to the Zone 14 of the Greater Chennai Corporation to extend the walkway on Lake View Main Road Extension as well.
Under the first phase of the restoration exercise, Seemai Karuvellam shrubs have been removed and now the lake’s bunds are being strengthened. This will be followed up with de-silting and deepening of the waterbody.
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“In the second phase, an island will be created on the waterbody and native tree saplings will be planted to attract birds,” says Subramani.
Those interested in volunteering may contact V. Subramani at 98840 26023.