EFI gets GCC nod to restore 22 ponds
In June, EFI submitted a proposal to restore the ponds. The group proposed to deepen and widen the ponds, strengthen bunds, improve infrastructure, fence the premises, clean the waterbody of biodegradable debris, desilt the lake during the dry period, and plant native trees along the bunds to increase green cover. The project would be carried out at an estimated 2 crore. "This will prevent localized flooding. We have been a long-standing partner of GCC especially with respect to matters of water conservation and restoration," said EFI founder Arun Krishnamoorthy.
Two ponds in Madampakkam, one in Allikulam, Uzhavar Keni Pond near Karapakkam, Paraserikeni Kulam, Periyakeni Kulam, Kannagi Nagar 17th Main Road Pond, Vannan Kulam, and Sathyavanimuthu Street were among waterbodies that will be restored. GCC will provide administrative support for project.
You Can Also Check:
Chennai AQI
|
Weather in Chennai
|
Bank Holidays in Chennai
|
Public Holidays in Chennai
GCC chief engineer (stormwater drains) Bhaskaran said GCC has independently taken up work to restore canals within its limits.
"We are increasing the concrete wall height to five feet and erecting fences to prevent the dumping of waste," he added.
EFI has independently taken up bio-remediation drives to restore waterbodies across several cities. It began work on Dargah Pond in Kovalam, planting Canna Indica plants around its surface. "Stem-based plants (such as Canna Indica) technically draw nutrients from waterbodies to grow. This is beneficial as nutrient load in waterbodies often increases the accumulation of algae and brings other pollution-related hazards.
This is a biological remedy to water pollution," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Residents complain of rampant garbage dumping along Rajiv Gandhi Salai
Garbage has been piling up on the service lanes of Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), beyond the Greater Chennai Corporation limits, causing inconvenience to both pedestrians and motorists. On any day, one can see garbage below foot overbridges and streetlights, and on vacant lots on the roadside in areas including Navalur, Egattur, Siruseri, and Muttukadu. 'It is an eye sore. This road is the information technology corridor, where large companies are located and hundreds of high-rise buildings dot the skyline. The panchayats boast of being rich due to the collection of property taxes. However, they don't seem to want to plough back the money into maintaining cleanliness, providing drinking water, or laying sewage lines. They dump garbage along the Muttukadu lake and even burn it,' said M. Suresh of Padur. In most places, garbage is packed into old cement bags and dumped by the roadside. 'Though many gated communities segregate waste, nobody knows how it is disposed of. When one steps out of an apartment complex, the roads are never clean. If there are too many complaints, some garbage is removed, otherwise nobody bothers. All of it is ad hoc. Nothing is structured,' said Keerthi of Kelambakkam. Harsha Koda, co-founder of the Federation of OMR Resident Associations (FOMRRA), said the panchayats of Padur, Kelambakkam, Egattur, Navalur, Siruseri, Muttukadu, and their surrounding areas were still stuck in a 'village outlook' and were not equipped to meet the solid waste management needs of the heavily urbanised Rajiv Gandhi Salai. 'They lack the vision and understanding on how to handle the increasing waste generated by this rapidly growing urban landscape,' he added. 'After visiting Indore, which won the Swachh Bharat Cleanest City award for eight consecutive years, we submitted a preliminary report to Thiruporur MLA S.S. Balaji to address the waste management problem. A comprehensive final action plan needs to be developed. We hope the panchayats will also take a step forward in modernising and improving waste management practices,' Mr. Koda said.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
GCC begins enrolment for CM Stalin's outreach drive
Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Monday launched a citywide door-to-door survey to identify beneficiaries for the 'Ungaludan Stalin' outreach programme, set to begin on July 15. Volunteers have begun distributing enrolment forms along with details on eligibility, documents necessary, and welfare schemes available under the initiative, asking people to tick which scheme they wish to avail. The officials will then verify the eligibility criteria and add the names. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai As part of the drive, camps will be held in all 200 wards in a phased manner until Oct 31, with two camps planned per ward — totalling 400 camps. The camps will operate between 9 am and 3 pm, and each application received will be processed within 45 days, Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar said. Officials on Monday covered areas like Thiruvottiyur, Madhavaram, Anna Nagar, and Kodambakkam to assess beneficiaries of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, senior citizens who require door-to-door ration, and also those requiring disability funds and pension. The schemes will be taken to doorsteps apart from localised camps being held in the neighbourhoods. The CM will inaugurate the camps from Chidambaram. In Chennai, on the launch day, camps will be held in six wards: 25 (Madhavaram), 38 (Tondiarpet), 76 (Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar), 109 (Teynampet), 143 (Valasaravakkam), and 168 (Adyar). Mahesh Kumar said more than 42 schemes will be covered under the initiative. "We have written to all the departments to prepare the documents and be present from July 15 at the spot," he said. The drive will continue until July 14.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
EFI gets GCC nod to restore 22 ponds
Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has given permission to the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) to start work on restoring 22 ponds spread across zones 14 and 15. In June, EFI submitted a proposal to restore the ponds. The group proposed to deepen and widen the ponds, strengthen bunds, improve infrastructure, fence the premises, clean the waterbody of biodegradable debris, desilt the lake during the dry period, and plant native trees along the bunds to increase green cover. The project would be carried out at an estimated 2 crore. "This will prevent localized flooding. We have been a long-standing partner of GCC especially with respect to matters of water conservation and restoration," said EFI founder Arun Krishnamoorthy. Two ponds in Madampakkam, one in Allikulam, Uzhavar Keni Pond near Karapakkam, Paraserikeni Kulam, Periyakeni Kulam, Kannagi Nagar 17th Main Road Pond, Vannan Kulam, and Sathyavanimuthu Street were among waterbodies that will be restored. GCC will provide administrative support for project. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai GCC chief engineer (stormwater drains) Bhaskaran said GCC has independently taken up work to restore canals within its limits. "We are increasing the concrete wall height to five feet and erecting fences to prevent the dumping of waste," he added. EFI has independently taken up bio-remediation drives to restore waterbodies across several cities. It began work on Dargah Pond in Kovalam, planting Canna Indica plants around its surface. "Stem-based plants (such as Canna Indica) technically draw nutrients from waterbodies to grow. This is beneficial as nutrient load in waterbodies often increases the accumulation of algae and brings other pollution-related hazards. This is a biological remedy to water pollution," he said.
