For years, Kadapakkam Lake has been struggling. Located near Manali in North Chennai, India, the lake sits in an area heavily shaped by agricultural activity, which has led to its waters becoming polluted and unhealthy.
But that's about to change. Chennai's city corporation has recently launched a two-year plan to renovate the lake, the New Indian Express reported. The project will not only restore several facets of the lake's health, including its diminished water levels, but it will also make it a "recreational hub" for the area.
The primary issues stem from agricultural activities in the surrounding areas. Excessive runoff has led to Kadapakkam Lake becoming severely silted, or full of sediment, which has diminished its ability to hold water. The NIE also reported that the lake's biodiversity was suffering — several invasive plant and fish species were recorded during a preliminary biological survey of the ecosystem.
To solve this issue with this restoration project, water entering the lake will be filtered in a pond to eliminate silt and pollutants. Additionally, the project will reintroduce several native fish and aquatic plants back to the lake so they can help restore the natural harmony of the ecosystem.
Additionally, all of these efforts will be conducted using processes and materials that focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly building. For example, the NIE shared that officials had proposed to reuse the lake's dredged soil, pave recreational areas with eco-friendly materials — though they did not yet specify which ones — and use shrubbery and trees instead of fencing.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project is its benefit to the community, demonstrating that what's best for the environment can also benefit our culture and economy.
At the project's conclusion, the community will have gained a healthy lake, and they'll also have a brand new open-air theater, a jogging trail, a birding island, and a recreational fishing spot.
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