Chennai Citizens Restore 50-Acre Lake: A Seven-Year Journey to Sustainability

Community-Led Efforts Transform Chitlapakkam Lake, Ensuring a Sustainable Water Source and Recreational Hub

The residents of Chitlapakkam in Chennai have successfully revived a 50-acre lake after years of relentless efforts, petitions, cleaning drives, and a campaign known as #SavingChitlapakkamLake. This determined community endeavor resulted in the state government sanctioning Rs 25 crore for the restoration project.

Drawing inspiration from films like Mudhalvan or Nayak, where protagonists bring about significant change, the citizens of Chitlapakkam have proven that ordinary people can indeed make a difference. Unlike the movie characters, these residents weren't granted power or funds; their drive stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility towards their environment.

"Social activism runs in the DNA of the people of Chitlapakkam," says L Sundararaman. The town's residents have long been active in addressing civic issues, forming various welfare associations since the 90s. Their peaceful protests and human chains have successfully halted government plans to build more houses in the area.

The 2015 Chennai floods were a turning point for Chitlapakkam. The monsoon devastation highlighted the poor urban planning and the neglected state of the lake. In response, the local volunteer group Chitlapakkam Rising (CR) launched a vigorous campaign in 2017, involving petitions, postcard campaigns, street plays, and songs to draw attention to the lake's dire condition. Despite initial government inaction, the group persisted.

By 2019, the #SavingChitlapakkamLake campaign saw hundreds of residents come together to clean the lake, ultimately catching the government's attention. The Tamil Nadu government sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the lake's restoration in 2020.

For many residents, 2016 was a particularly challenging year with dried-up borewells and the need to pay for water. Dayanand Krishnan, a civil engineer and advisor to CR, recalls the dire situation, "There wasn’t even a drop of water in our homes. Despite several protests, there was no action by the government."

The lake, nearly 100 years old, had become a garbage dump filled with hyacinths. The Chitlapakkam community, undeterred by years of neglect, took matters into their own hands. A water audit revealed significant sewage contamination, prompting further action.

The CR team, including members like Sunil, Udaya, Ezhil, Udhayavani, Dayanand, and others, began cleaning the lake every weekend, transforming it from a few volunteers to a mass movement involving over 2,000 people. Their efforts culminated in government recognition and support.

The restoration employed the 4D principle: Deflect, Drain, Desilt, and Deepen. This method involved constructing sluice gates to prevent sewage entry, draining existing sewage water, removing poor-quality soil, and deepening the lake by 2.5 meters to enhance water storage and prevent flooding.

To ensure community accessibility, the CR team added amenities like a walking path, play area, open-air gym, amphitheater, basketball court, and greenery, making the lake a vibrant recreational hub.

Today, Chitlapakkam Lake stands as a testament to the power of collective effort. Since October 2023, CR has also conducted lake walk tours for residents from other localities, sharing their successful model. The citizens of Chitlapakkam are true modern-day heroes, proving that community-driven initiatives can create lasting change, one lake at a time.

Reference:

thebetterindia.com