The Oma Kulam pond located in Madhavaram, north Chennai, measures a size of around 3.5 acres. Garbage dumping and sewage inlets let to a great decrease in water capacity, as far as a nearly complete disappearance. In collaborating effort The Greater Chennai Corporation and E.F.I. set the goal of reviving this pond.
In March 2017 the project started in the following steps:
- Clearing of solid waste, debris and invasive weed worth around 400 truck loads
- De-silting in order to deepen the lake and increase the water capacity.
- Establishing a box pit to get rainwater centralized.
- Forming and raising solid bunds to prevent further encroachments and greater water holding capacity.
- Plantation of native species for a green habitat of native birds and other breathing creatures.
But also the local community was involved in several steps of the restoration progress. Many of them participated in clean-ups, wall painting or plantation works. We wish to thank them all. Working hand in hand with the locals leads to a higher environmental awareness and a better knowledge of their own neighborhood among all anticipating parties.
During the following monsoon, the Oma Kulam pond got well filled up. The advantages of this now revived waterbody are a better temperature regulation and groundwater percolation, as well as a prevention of waterborne diseases.
But still, maintenance and an overall awareness are needed to let the pond live.
Lakes of India 