Finding no support from officials, locals desilt lake in Peravurani

The lake, which was once spread over 564 acres and irrigated several thousand acres of land in the region, has shrunk in recent years due to encroachments.

According to local youth, the lake has become a dumping place for construction debris and other non-degradable waste. With water flow to the lake being affected by these activities, the lake has dried up. As a result, farmers depending on its water have also been negatively impacted.

Stating that the lake urgently needed desilting, Ramkumar, president of Tail-end Farmers’ Association, said, “We repeatedly approached the officials concerned with our plea to revive the waterbody by desilting it, but they did not show any interest. Hence, we decided to do it by ourselves and crowd source the money required.”

Sivakumar, an IT professional hailing from the area but working in the US, donated a fund of Rs 1 lakh as his share, while the local youth mobilised around Rs 20,000. Using this money, they commenced the desilting work with three tractors and a JCB machine.

Villagers from Ponkadu, Mudapulikadu and Old Peravurani, who also depend on the lake for irrigation, have come forward to contribute money. “Funds apart, they have volunteered to undertake the desilting works. Atleast 50 villagers are engaged in this task every day,” Ramkumar said.

Local youngsters have planned to strengthen the banks of the lake and plant saplings to ensure green cover. “We expect to complete the entire work within 10 days,” said Prabhakaran, a volunteer, expressing hope that the lake is restored to its former glory soon.