Encroachments on lake beds and uncontrolled extraction of water threaten their survival

Despite court directives on the conservation and protection of waterbodies, the dumping of waste into canals and other water sources continues, much to the concern of residents. The lakes in the southern suburbs, including Veeraraghavan lake in Tiruneermalai town panchayat, Chitlapakkam lake and Sembakkam lake, are all in a bad state,

M. Ravi, secretary, Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents’ Association, Chitlapakkam, said their main demands included the conservation and protection of the two lakes in the vicinity — Sembakkam lake and Chitlapakkam lake — from encroachments and unchecked pollution.

Residents’ welfare association members said the two waterbodies that have served as water sources for many decades had shrunk significantly because of rampant encroachments. The government should urgently address this issue, they added.

Residents wanted the excess drawing of groundwater from borewells already sunk in the Sembakkam lake bed to be stopped.

Private tanker lorries are drawing water from the borewells for supplying private parties, aggravating the depletion of the the water table in and around Chitlapakkam, residents complained.

“The need of the hour is the implementation of the Comprehensive Under Ground Drainage scheme for Chitlapakkam, Madambakkam and Sembakkam. This would ensure stormwater drains carry only rainwater to the waterbodies,” said K. Ramakrishna, an office-bearer of the association.

Recently, water hyacinth was removed from Veeraraghavan lake. But the work was not completed and plastic waste is once again blocking the surplus course to Tiruneermalai lake.

Severe threat

Environmentalists said that waterbodies in the district are under severe threat due to pollution and in the absence of action, an environmental disaster is likely. Residents are hoping the authorities chalk up a comprehensive plan to clean up the waterbodies in the district and prevent pollution.

Senior officials of the town panchayats met a few days ago and have referred the matter to higher authorities. Only a decision at a higher level would enable the local bodies to install the underground drainage system, which is the only solution to this enduring problem, they said.