TN commences survey of 42 K lakes to identify water flow areas

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department has commenced survey of 42000 lakes in the state to identify the water flow areas and increase the storage capacity of these lakes. This was following the government ordering the state Water Resources Department (WRD) and the local bodies in the state to conduct an inspection and survey of all the lakes and to submit a report as early as possible.

Chennai, Dec 1 (BPNS)

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department has commenced survey of 42000 lakes in the state to identify the water flow areas and increase storage capacity of these lakes. This was following the government ordering the state Water Resources Department (WRD) and the local bodies in the state to conduct an inspection and survey of all the lakes and to submit a report as early as possible.

It is to be noted that of the 42000 lakes in the state, 14,318 are maintained by the state Water Resources Department and 2700 lakes have reached their maximum capacity.

A senior official of the state Water Resources Department told BPNS that it was very crucial to increase the storage capacity of these lakes to meet the growing drinking water demands of the population. The state revenue department is also providing all support to the Water Resources Department to identify the encroachments around the water bodies and lakes. A state-level steering committee and district and divisional-level steering committees are formed to support the revenue department and to provide information on the encroachments.

It may be recalled that several farmers’ organizations have already provided many petitions to the government of Tamil Nadu to properly maintain the water bodies and lakes in the state so that the water bodies are abundant in water.

Farmers association leader, R. Rajendran from Tiruchi while speaking to BPNS said, “ The state has adequate water bodies and lakes and we should maintain these lakes properly to get an uninterrupted supply of water. Lakes and water bodies must be desilted periodically and at least once in two years to retain their storage capacity.”

With the state receiving heavy rains in Southwest monsoon, there has been adequate water in almost all water bodies and some touched up to the maximum storage levels. However, encroachments and no proper maintenance have led to many of these water bodies not able to store a proper quantity of water and the survey and assessment of all the 42000 lakes in the state would lead to an abundance of water for the state.