Tankers’ illegal pipes drain life out of Keelkattalai lake

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Even as the chief minister J. Jayalalithaa is keen on restoring water bodies and protecting the marshland in and around Chennai, the Keelkattalai lake continues to shrink as illegal tapping of water by private tankers goes unchecked.

Dozens of tankers drain the water body throughout the day and in a bid to facilitate the illegal activity tankers have laid huge pipelines.

Photographs available with this newspaper reveal that at least half a dozen pipelines laid at the surface level is fitted through high power motor pumps to draw water from the lake.

“On a daily basis, several heavy vehicles are washed in the lake polluting the water body and pollution levels are hardly checked”, alleged K. Rajkumar, a local resident.

Says K. V. R. K. Thirunaran, founder, Nature Trust, “At a time when the state government is taking steps to preserve water bodies, several lakes in Kancheepuram district are crying for attention.

Besides providing ground water, these water bodies are home to hundreds of water and migratory birds. Keelkattalai lake attracts large number of wetland birds.

Rare Osprey bird that feeds on fish is reported in Keelkattalai lake area besides the lake during monsoon also attracts a good population of pelicans and cormorants. Further Keelkattalai lake is the main water feeder for Pallikaranai marsh, he adds.

When contacted, a senior PWD official said that the maintenance of the lake was with the PWD, but the local police should take steps to prevent illegal water tapping.

At present Keelkattalai lake and its adjacent areas are under safe zone and the groundwater table level is safe.

But unchecked exploitation of groundwater could affect the water table over years, he added.