Here's how these Chennai residents restored a polluted lake & no longer pay for water!
From the toxic foam-covered River Yamuna to the foul-smelling River Bagmati, there is an endless list of polluted water bodies in the country. While we may think that the increasing level of pollution in such water bodies is not of consequence to our day-to-day life, have you ever wondered where the seemingly clean water that you use at home actually comes from? Taking into account the severe water crisis faced by them, residents of a Chennai suburb took charge and revived a century-old lake, ending their need to pay for water.
What led to the revival of the stagnant and polluted Chitlapakkam lake?
By 2015, the residents of Chitlapakkam, a town near Chennai, had been grappling with a severe water crisis for quite some time. Once pristine, the 50-acre Chitlapakkam Lake had turned into a stagnant and polluted water body, and the residents had to rely on borewells or pay for water.
But it was the floods in December 2015, that finally broke the camel's back. The monsoon's devastation exposed the poor urban planning of the town and gave rise to a volunteer group named 'Chitlapakkam Rising' who took it upon themselves to finally restore the lake.
Saving Chitlapakkam Lake campaign
In 2017 the group along with residents started writing petitions and postcard campaigns to the authorities and also started performing songs and street plays to raise awareness and get the authorities' attention. Even after constant attempts to get government aid failed, they didn't lose hope and launched their campaign on a massive scale in 2019.
It was when hundreds of people came together to clean the lake on their own, that the campaign finally gained the Tamil Nadu government's attention and got a sanction of aid of Rs 25 crore for the lake's restoration project.
Also Read:?World Oceans Day 2024: 7 ways you can help to protect the ocean
After several attempts to restore the lake, the residents were successful in their endeavour and the lake now boasts a beautiful walking path, a huge green area around it with an amphitheatre and an open-air gym.
Tips to control water pollution on a personal level
- Try to keep trash and litter away from the water bodies in your area.
- Don't drain chemical or oil-based products down the sink.
- The most important, completely stop the use of single-use plastics and limit the use of other plastics as well.
The inspiring story of Chitlapakkam residents' is a great example of the power of community and also highlights the need to address the increasing water pollution in the country.
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