There will be no concretisation of open spaces that are being created near six waterbodies in zones 11 and 15 under the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Namakku Naame Thittam. This project is being implemented by the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that restores waterbodies.
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Apart from compound walls and toilets, there would not be any concrete structure and an earthen design concept will be used for pavements, said Arun Krishnamurthy, the NGO’s founder. The restoration of the eco-park at Nolambur along the Cooum at ward 143 under zone 11 began recently. Apart from this, several restoration projects in ward 199 under zone 15, including the restoration of the eco-park and lake at Ramanthangal, and a pond and sponge park on Sathyavani Muthu Street have begun.
“The work is expected to be completed by November. Garbage, debris, and, in some cases, swamps, will be cleared from these abandoned land parcels and nature-human interaction zones, with microhabitats within the urban centres, will be developed. The restored spots will have fitness-oriented portions, playgrounds, star-gazing areas, arboreal junctions, and flower gardens with nectar-bearing plants. These spaces will be interactive learning areas for students. EFI will maintain the restored portions for three years after completion,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
“Lane composters will be placed at the parks to process the solid waste generated,” he added. Regarding the sewage let out illegally into waterbodies, he said the land portions were on embankment areas, where there would be no penetration or soil degradation impact.