CHENNAI: Two lakes near Chennai city have been recently restored and rejuvenated through special water restoration efforts by the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal. The two lakes near Chennai are the Vengambakkam Lake and Madambakkam Lake, and the total project cost for rejuvenating these two lakes closer to Chennai city is Rs.1.3 crores.
A press release received from the Rotary club informed that the Vengambakkam Lake is spread over 42 acres and it had been restored. “This Vengambakkam lake near Chennai was handed over to the local body for usage by the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal. The Vengambakkam Lake is near Agaramthen, and it was restored in association with Care Earth Trust and Atos Global IT Solutions and Services at a project cost of Rs.64 lakhs in Chengalpattu district. The rejuvenated lake was formally handed over to the local community recently after approval from the Water Resources Department,” according to a press release received from the Rotary Club. The Vengambakkam Lake handover ceremony was held on 24th June 2023 at Vengambakkam near Chennai.
WITH CSR FUNDS SUPPORT:
The Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal had received funds with support under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from ATOS (an IT multinational company) and Care Earth Trust which is a biodiversity research organization that had completed the work for both the lakes on time, the press release said.
The first lake- at Madambakkam- was handed over recently to the local people in the presence of Rotary District Governor of Rotary International District 3232 in Chennai Mr.Nandakumar, guest of honour Mr.Murali Menon, Chief Security Officer Mr.Krishnan Ananthanarayanan, vice-president Er.Selva Kumar- present with Executive Engineer of Lower Palar Division of Water Resources Department in Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr.Ravi Kumar, president of Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal, Ms.Latha Balamukundan, immediate past president of Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal and local residents.
According to Mr.S.Thirunavukkarasu, senior advisor of Care Earth Trust. the earth locally was dredged about 35,000 cubic metres to get water body-ground water recharge boost by 1.24 mcft. The lake bund was widened to 5 metres and 60 trees had been planted, and all steps taken for water table rejuvenation and restoration in Vengambakkam lake area.
Among those present at the Vengambakkam Lake handover ceremony on 24th June 2023 were Rotary District Governor Dr.Nandakumar, CSO Murli Menon, VP Mr.Krishnan Ananthanarayanan, Er.Selvakumar of Water Resources Department of Government of Tamil Nadu, Rotary club secretary 2022-23 Mr.Prakriti Goenka and community service in-charge Mr.Rajesh Khanna.
