The Velachery lake, which has already shrunk due to
encroachments, is facing a new threat. Debris is being dumped along the
bund encroaching into the lake area on the Velachery side.

The
dumping began recently to facilitate construction of shops, which was
planned by a section of politicians, allege the residents.

A
recent visit to the lake revealed that concrete benches have been put
up on the bund located on the Velachery – Adambakkam road. The local
politicians were planning to slowly extend the bund further into the
lake to facilitate construction of shops along the stretch, the
residents alleged.

The lake, which is under the
control of Water Resources Department, was originally spread around 108
hectares from Velachery to Adambakkam. But, systematic encroachment over
the decades had shrunk the lake to nearly 23 hectares.

The
bund on the Velachery side near the Guru Nanak College is already
covered with concrete structures. Now, the remaining water spread area
is facing a similar threat apart from pollution owing to release of
sewage, the residents charged.

Residents, naturalists
and researchers said there was a dire need for protecting this huge
water body, as it is one of the main sources of fresh water for the
residents of Velachery, Adambakkam.

Ranjit Daniels, a
biodiversity researcher, said that every year during the northeast
monsoon, Velachery gets flooded due to breaching of lake’s bund. A total
of 13 species of fish including gouramy, flying barbs, and channa were
recorded in the lake.

“The Velachery lake is an
important source of aquatic biodiversity, especially of fish.The deep
waters are not suited to many birds except coots, dabchicks and grey
pelicans,” he said.

A member of local residents’
welfare association said the lake was halved into two with the laying of
the bypass road. Protection of this wetland is critical for groundwater
recharge.

Though the Water Resources Department had
issued eviction notices to nearly 650 families in 2008, it hit a road
block in encroachment removal as alternate housing for people was not
allotted. All it does now is clear vegetation from the water body before
the onset of northeast monsoon at a cost of Rs.19 lakh every year

Elaborate
plans were made to introduce boating and creation of parks in the past.
However, no such scheme was implemented owing to heavy encroachments.

Residents also alleged that the efforts are on to provide ‘patta’ document for the encroachers of lake area.

Sources at the WRD said that a regulator and a 2.3 km surplus course were constructed from the lake along Bypass Road.

Only after the encroachment removal can work to rejuvenate the water body be taken up as planned in other lakes.