Reviving water bodies in these times of drought has become inevitable and realising this, the Environmentalist Foundation Of India activists who undertook restoration of Selva Chinthamani lake have reached the final stages.

The second and final phase will begin in June and there has been little public support, according to activists.

They began restoration process way back in 2013. In that phase they built bunds around 1.5 km spending Rs1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore with the help of the State Government. But due to some political turmoil their plans went haywire in 2014 after the Government failed to sanction new works.

Between 2015 and 2016, the organisers created a g-shaped island in the middle of the lake which has helped create an ecosystem for birds, though sound pollution in the city has been posing problems.

This year, it was decided to launch the second phase and as part of ensuring that waste is not dumped, nearly 6-foot high fence was set up of restoration. To secure the lake from wastes dumped by the locals, they
decided to build a fence about 5 to 6 feet height for which they have approached car manufacturer Ford. Cleaning the canal is the next work to be initiated.

Chemicals from a dye firm and a goldsmithy are polluting the canal. Action has to be taken against that too, says Anand Pritivraj. S, a mechanical engineer student.

“We visited the places and found they have equipment to filter the water. Unfortunately, they do not use it because of the cost factor,” says volunteer Sanjay Prasad.

Saplings will be planted along the bund which will check soil erosion, adds Anand, who adds that this could also be a check on sound pollution. The organisation is seeking volunteers to support it.