While a group of youth from Nallipalayam village was monitoring the cleaning work of a water body in their village, another group of youths were busy collecting funds for the renovating work of the water body.
The village has a population of around 5,100 with Urkuttai (lake) located along the Namakkal – Karur National Highway at a sprawling 7.5 acre.
Though villagers were unable to recall for how long the lake existed, elderly people said that it could be more than 150 years old.
“The lake is a source of drinking water for village’s located around 10 km radius and also served the agricultural needs”, recalled a senior citizen. But encroachment of water way, dumping of debris and poor maintenance led to the lake getting dried before 10 years. Villagers said that no efforts were made since then to renovate the lake.
But more than 50 youth in the village have joined together to form ‘Pasumai Vizhuthugal Iyakkam’ with an objective to renovate and beautify the lake and bring back its glory.
“The lake was once brimming with water keeping the ground water at high level in surrounding areas. But now we are forced to purchase water for our daily consumption in tanker lorries”, said C.R. Arunkumar, an MBA graduate. The youth discussed their plans with the villagers that received instant support from them. “We formed the movement and worked out the cost of project to be around Rs. 15 lakh”, he added.
Instead of assigning the project to private parties, we members were involved in all the activities, said K. Rajkumar, another graduate. “Initially we spent on desilting. However, we depend more on philanthropists who can either give money, materials or vehicles for the work, he added. “The future generation should not suffer because of water shortage. Hence, we plan to complete the works before monsoon and maintain it regularly”, the members added.
Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy, K.P.P. Baskar MLA, Revenue Divisional Officer M. Kannan and municipal authorities who visited the work assured to provide all support. “The RDO has assured to remove encroachments in water ways so that the rainwater can enter the lake”, said M. Vinod, a member.
Members said that philanthropists can contact 99949-33325 and 90036-23628 for contributions.
