A tale of two ponds that could mean less flooding for Sholingannalur this year

Naturally blessed with hundreds of lakes and ponds, the city of Chennai can easily improve its ground water levels by restoring these water bodies. Here are two success stories of pond rejuvenation projects that could inspire other neighbourhoods in the city.

The number of water bodies in Chennai has been on the decline, as they become victims of encroachment and negligence. Last year, the Chennai Smart City Mission, sought help from corporate organisations to restore these water bodies, especially ponds, within city corporation limits. With funds from the corporates and the civic body, a few environmental organisations collaborated with citizens to work on the restoration.

This collective effort has yielded some positive outcomes, as a few ponds were revived and the groundwater table has gone up in these areas. “Chennai is bestowed with hundreds of ponds that play a key role in increasing the groundwater table. As ponds are smaller in size, restoring them requires less time than the lakes,” says V Subramani, an environmentalist and founder of Sabari Green Trust.

Two such ponds are Puducherry Keni Kulam and Odaikeni Kulam — in Sholinganallur — both restored by Care Earth Trust, with financial aid from the Rotary Club of Madras, upon the recommendation of Chennai City Connect**.

The Sholinganallur success story

In the midst of busy residential establishments in Sholinganallur, these two ponds, separated by less than a kilometre are markedly different from others in the area. The four sides of their bunds were strengthened and these water bodies present a remarkable change from a year ago when they were filled with water hyacinth, solid waste and silt. The 10.5-hectare Puducherry Keni Kulam was covered by a bed of water hyacinth and polluted by solid waste, while Odaikeni Kulam required desilting.

Before & After: Puducherry Keni Kulam In Sholinganallur was contaminated with Water Hyacinth a year ago. Thanks to Care Earth Trust and pro-active citizens, the pond gets a new look. Credits: Care Earth Trust

Behind this radical transformation has been an active citizenry guided by Care Eart Trust.  As a first step,  the organisation asked the members of resident welfare associations in the area to stop dumping garbage in the ponds. Later, a total of 180 tonnes of water hyacinth was removed from Puducherry Keni Kulam. It was also deepened to 1.5 metres** to increase the water holding capacity.

The 1.5-hectare Odaikeni Kulam demanded less work, as there was no hyacinth. The volunteers de-silted the pond to enable water storage.

“There has been significant transformation. Puducherry Keni Kulam now facilitates the growth of Typha, a wetland plant that indicates good health of the water body. Besides preventing the growth of hyacinth, Typha is used by the local communities for making mats,” says S Vasantharaja, project coordinator of Care Earth Trust.  

However, the next step is even more crucial. These water bodies need to be continuously monitored. Care Earth Trust has joined hands with local volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to maintain these restored water bodies. “Whenever any encroachment, or dumping of garbage, or presence of anti-social elements is noticed, I complain to the Assistant Engineer of Sholinganallur zone and Care Earth officials. Protecting water bodies is a full-time job,” says Venkatesh, a local volunteer. During the restoration, Venkatesh played an effective role in motivating volunteers for the cause.

Sholinganallur, an IT hub, has been notorious for flooding, as several high rise buildings have come up on wetlands. By expanding the water holding capacity of the existing water bodies, conditions have been created that may lead to less flooding in the days to come.  “Groundwater is available within 25 feet near these ponds now. By restoring the ponds, we have reduced the chances of flooding,” says Jitendra Prasad, a resident, who has set up a monitor by his open well.

Moovarasampet Pond awaits complete restoration

A similar story awaits to be told in South Chennai, where the Moovarasampet Pond never goes dry. Filled with lily and lotus plants, this pond is known for its scenic beauty. But apart from these plants, the one-acre pond was also sieged by perilous water hyacinth rooted deep into the soil.

Water lilies add beauty to Moovarasampet Pond. Pic: V Ramarao

The Sabari Green Foundation gathered funds from citizens and cleared hyacinth from the pond. “We strengthened the broken compound wall and painted the walls.  After clearing the hyacinth, groundwater levels have gone up,” says V Ramarao, a volunteer with Sabari Green Foundation. The Foundation received manpower from Gokul Nagar Resident Welfare Association in Moovarasampet. “It is our way of showing responsibility towards the water bodies. When we clean it ourselves, the message sent out on saving ponds and lakes is stronger,” said Gangadhar P, a resident.

“Water percolation has improved within a radius of three kilometres from the pond. As the groundwater stabilised, over 12,000 people in the locality benefit,” said V Ramarao, after the Sabari Foundation carried out a local impact assessment. 

However, due to the shortage of funds, the organisation has had to halt the desilting and construction work on a walking path. Alandur MLA, T M Anbarasan assured Citizen Matters Chennai that funds and manpower would soon be arranged to ensure that the restoration work is completed. As more and more citizens get sensitised thus about the role of water bodies and the advantages they bring, one hopes that more such movements will emerge to save the lakes and ponds of Chennai.

**Errata: This information has been corrected since the story was first published, subsequent to clarification from sources.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Bengaluru Buzz: Limiting water usage | Model Code of Conduct for polls … and more

Other news of the week: 500 MLD shortage every day, Blue and Yellow Metro Lines to be linked, and no fine for late payment of March power bills.

Limits on using water The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has drawn up some guidelines to celebrate Holi on March 25th. While the festival can be followed in households or in public, potable water for any such event cannot be used. A rain or pool dance should not be organised for monetary gains and Cauvery or borewell water should not be leveraged for the event, said BWSSB Chairman, V. Ramprasath Manohar. However, several hotels are selling tickets for pool parties. Meanwhile, it is mandatory for bulk water users to install flow restrictors or aerators by the end of…

Similar Story

Mumbai Buzz: Bhushan Gagrani is BMC Commissioner | Two children drown in Wadala… and more

And in other news in Mumbai: Signal failure causes chaos on WR; Water problem solved in Vasai-Virar; 20,000 vehicles on Coastal Road.

Bhushan Gagrani replaces Iqbal Singh Chahal as BMC Commissioner On Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) asked the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to immediately transfer the Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Iqbal Singh Chahal. Besides this, it also asked for the transfer of all Additional Municipal Commissioners and Deputy Municipal Commissioners, who have been in their current posting for over three years and are posted in their home district in Maharashtra. Soon after taking charge from Iqbal Singh Chahal, new BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani addressed a meeting for monsoon preparedness. Pic: BMC via Twitter (X) On Wednesday, the ECI…