Waterbodies in north and west Chennai that have been neglected for decades are now being rejuvenated.
The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), which has been involved in the revival of the city’s waterbodies, has now turned its focus to ponds in these parts of the city.
The EFI has identified nearly 15 ponds in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts that are in dire need of restoration.
Arun, founder of EFI, said: “We restored 17 ponds, including ones in the northern and western parts of the city last year, with the support of local bodies and community participation. This includes ponds in Minjur, Theeyambakkam near Manali, Kullapan Nagar in Mandhavaram and Vinayagapuram near Retteri.”
“We found that many of them remained neglected for several decades. The Minjur pond had turned into a space for dumping trash and volunteers removed trash and plugged sewage outfalls,” he said.
They then deepened the waterbody and fenced it, he added.
This year, the organisation is taking up work to restore 15 ponds such as Arrakulam, Vairavankulam and Mandapamkuttai in Ambattur zone, Aluvancheri near Porur and Thalambur and Egattur along Rajiv Gandhi Salai.
Similar neglect
These ponds are of various sizes but face similar kind of neglect.
The restoration of ponds would also help in building capacity to handle localised flooding and drought, and prevent soil and water contamination, Mr. Arun said.
Welcoming the move, residents said it would help in groundwater recharge.
T. Gunaseelan, a resident of Ambattur, said a compound wall must be built around waterbodies that were restored, to prevent encroachments.
Government agencies must also maintain an inventory of ponds, he suggested.
