DHARMAPURI: A big lake in Ellakiyampatti village in Dharmapuri district has been massively polluted by the accumulation of sewage water and plastic waste. Residents have now urged the district administration to clean up the lake which encompasses an area of over 13 acres.
Ellakiyampatti lake lies nearly three kilometres from the district headquarters, Dharmapuri town. The lake was once a freshwater source for the entire Ellakiyampatti panchayat. However, severe neglect coupled with the accumulation of sewage water and plastic waste have led to its severe degradation.
Speaking to TNIE, M Umashankar, a member of the Dharmapuri People’s Forum, said, “In 2014, through public funding, we had undertaken a massive renovation work which had led to the revival of the lake. To strengthen the bund we had also planted various native trees. But there is only so much that can be done. Now, the lake is severely polluted mainly by plastic wastes and the discharge of sewage water from the panchayat drains into the lake. It has declined again though improvements were made by the Dharmapuri administration two years ago.”
K Munirathinam from Elakkiyampatti said, “The entire lake is riddled with plastic, mostly bottles and disposable plastic cups. This is often dumped here by the drunks who gather here almost every day. We often ignore them as no one wants to argue with them. The overgrowths here have also increased due to poor maintenance”.
Another villager, P Mani, said, “The wastewater from the Elakkiyampatti panchayat drains into the lake itself, and this has led to the contamination of water. This has led to foul smell.”
Officials in the Dharmapuri Block Development Office said, “Two years ago, we had undertaken renovation of the lake. People must also bear the responsibility to protect water bodies.” Regarding the pollution in the lake, they said, “We will look into the matter”.