Chennai: Due to official apathy, indiscriminate encroachment and lack of will to maintain the water resources, more than 1000 lakes and tanks disappeared from Tamil Nadu during the last five decades. The shocking revelation was disclosed in a report released by former PWD officials. The report alleged that the water sources disappeared due to the encroachment, lack of will to protect, maintain the water resources and neglect.
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39,202 lakes and tanks existed in Tamil Nadu
The report stated that about 50-years ago, 39,202 lakes, channels and tanks were present in Tamil Nadu. Of this 15,000 were under the purview of the Public Works Department. The remaining were controlled and maintained by local bodies. Nearly 1,000 of lakes were converted as housing plots and buildings were constructed.
Water storage level plummeted
According to the former PWD officials, about 50-years ago, the State had a total storage capacity of 390 tmc. Gradually this was reduced to 250 tmc. As a result of this, water scarcity turned out to be a menace people found hard to tackle. Farmers continue to be hit by lack of adequate water for irrigation purposes affecting their income.
During the rainy season, water between 20 tmc to 25 tmc drained into the sea and gets wasted every year as the State lacks adequate resources for storing the excess water. The government has not yet taken any measures to desilt lakes including Sembarambakkam, Poondi, Maduranthagam and Puzhal lakes, upon which Chennai residents relied on.
Former PWD official, A Veerappan, who was involved in preparing the report, said the government must desilt the lakes which provide water to Chennai residents. This would enhance the storage capacities in the lakes averting water scarcity.
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Our forefathers resorted to innovative ways of saving and storing the water. The PWD officials can follow this and save the water. The PWD and local bodies must take sincere steps to protect the water bodies, he said.
KC Neelamegam Executive President, Water Association Tirchy said efforts must be taken to raise awareness among the students and people regarding water conservation and protection of water bodies. Desilting of these sources must be done to enhance water storage level, so that people can use it when they face water scarcity, he added.
A PWD official said the present government has been engaged in desilting the lakes, tanks and water channels under Kudimaramathu project. There is no doubt that PWD will protect the water sources effectively, he said.
