Chennai: The State government has been taking steps to restore water bodies. At many places, they have been removing encroachments from lakes and water bodies.
A campaign for proper implementation of rainwater harvesting and restoring water bodies are being carried out. Now, the residents of Anna Nagar want the government to re-convert the land taken up for construction by TNHB as water body.
Selvakumar, president of Shenoy Nagar Welfare Association, said, “I am residing here for the past 62 years. Before Anna Nagar was formed, there was big pond at Pulla Avenue on which the skating park and police quarters were built. Now it has been demolished for reconstruction. Those days, the pond helped us to recharge ground water-level.”
“People used the pond here to take bath and wash clothes. About 35 years ago, the TNHB dumped debris brought from several places of the city and levelled it. The TNHB officials constructed a building for police department. After that the ground water-level started to decrease and now we are suffering a lot,” he added.
A S Arul, resident of Shenoy Nagar said, “I am living here for the past 57 years. Those days, we did not have any storm water drain. During rainy season, the water was collected at the pond. We never had any flooding. The rainwater stored in the pond was useful for many purposes. There was no water scarcity then.”
“Now, the ground water-level has gone down. Every year, we are having water in our borewell for only eight or nine months. For the rest of the months, we are depend up on the metro water and private lorries. For entire Anna Nagar, there is only one water body is there at Tower Park. So, it’s better to convert this land into pond,” he added.
“We are forced to buy water today. Efforts should be made to preserve water bodies. Rainwater harvesting in open canals to recharge the ground water level should be taken up,” said Janaki, a school student.