Chennai: World Environment Day was observed with great passion all over the globe.
In Ambattur, Chennai, too, things were no different because it is one of many places in the city which has seen drastic changes in the recent past.
On 5 June, Korattur Waterbodies Protection Movement (KWPM) joined hands with DTP Colony residents and the Police department to clean Sada Kulam.
Those who took part in the clean-up included Assistant Commissioner of Police Kannan and Inspector Vijayaraghavan from the Industrial Estate part of the locality.
“The plan was KWPM’s. We always worked together when it comes to cleaning Korattur lake. So, for Sada Kulam work, we joined hands too. We received good response for the initiative and saw at least 30 people turn up from my colony,” said Pushpalatha, who is the president of DTP Colony Residents Welfare Association, speaking with News Today.
The plan had initially been to restore Karukku Kulam nearby as well. But since the team had spent their time in the entirety at Sada kulam, they have had to postpone works at the other one for some other day, she said.
“The lake was bone dry. We cleaned fallen trees and shrubs from it and used an earthmover to make our work easy. Since there are plans to turn the lake into a nature spot like Thangal Lake park, we did not do more than cleaning the lake and planting a few saplings near the canal,” said Pushpalatha.
According to a few residents, the lake was spoiled by sewage that was let into it by nearby tenements. The cleanup started at 7 am and was wrapped after nearly three hours of work. Pushpalatha said even the Corporation was invited but they did not turn up.
Speaking on the sidelines of the cleanup, ACP Kannan, said, “Overall, 30 members who are part of groups came together to work on this initiative. The lake was in a bad state and had garbage dumped in it. There were many dead plants and weeds that had to be cleared as well.”
One of the participants at the event, Krishnakumar, said on the day ten saplings were planted after the cleanup and further works need to be done there.
With efforts put into the lake, residents hope that it gets to hold water from now on, instead of garbage.