The Hindu 12.12.2013
Residents, volunteers pitch in to clean up Tank
For the first time, local people, voluntary
organisations, clubs and social organisations have joined hands with
Palani Municipality to give a facelift to Vyapuri Tank, a major
waterbody and prime source for improving groundwater table in the temple
town.
While social organisations and clubs have
offered donations to foot the cleaning and fencing expenses, the
voluntary organisations have come forward to execute the work.
When
contacted, Vyapuri Tank Beautification Movement organiser K. Periasamy
said, to begin with, volunteers would clean the entire eastern part of
the tank – the most polluted area between the Palani central bus stand
and the overbridge.
“Then, we will desilt the entire
tank to improve its storage capacity. Mookanoorani Tank model in Salem
would be adopted in beautifying Vyapuri Tank.” The silt removed from the
tank bed would not be taken out of the tank and instead utilised to
strengthen the bunds and create small islands inside the tank to grow
trees as these isles would act as haven for birds. Later, the entire
area would be fenced and made a protected zone, he added.
The
Palani Municipality has agreed to divert sewage water through separate
pipeline to protect the tank from pollution and also assist in removing
accumulated silt. The Pollution Control Board has assured to erect metal
fencing to protect the tank zone. The PWD would prepare an estimate for
silt removal and revenue officials will guide and supervise the
execution.
Youth volunteers from Vivekanandhar Seva Trust will execute the work.
An
awareness will also be created among people, street vendors and
pilgrims to keep the tank bunds and adjoining areas clean and tidy and
help volunteers make it a litter-free zone.
Sri
Dhandayuthapanisway Temple Prasadha Sales Centre has offered Rs.1 lakh,
Lions Club of Palani and Naikarapatti contributed Rs.50,000 each and Sri
Dhandayuthapaniswamy Devotees Peravai gave Rs.10,000 for this noble
cause at a special meeting presided over by Dindigul Municipal
Commissioner A. Saravana Kumar on Tuesday.
Pollution Control Board Engineer Gunasekaran and members of various social and voluntary organisations participated.
