Sewage contaminates sprawling Perungalathur Lake

Unchecked encroachments and pollution are taking a severe toll on many lakes in the southern suburbs of Chennai, and the Perungalathur ‘periya eri' (big lake) is no exception. Originally spread over 150 acres, the lake's expanse is now less than 100 acres, due to unchecked construction of unauthorised structures, according to officials at the Kancheepuram District unit of the Public Works Department (PWD). Officials said that encroachments around the lake, which had began to trickle in some decades ago, had now assumed enormous proportions.

Untreated industrial wastes let out into water bodies has affected residents of Nethaji Nagar and its surrounding areas as also the cattle and cultivable lands.

The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has sent a letter to Fauji Fertiliser Company Energy Limited (FFCEL) to stop any activity at its windmill project that may lead to contamination of

Cities in India are dreaming of becoming New York and London but we seldom worry about as basic an issue as sewage and its disposal in our country. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has brought out a two-volume book titled Excreta Matters: Report on the State of India’s Environment to highlight how only 20 per cent of sewage is being treated in the country. Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, talks about the murky issue plaguing the water sources in this interview to Rashme Sehgal.

Palike to take up rejuvenation of the water body again

In an annual ritual of sorts, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to take up the rejuvenation of the Ulsoor Lake in the City. The only difference this time is that the Palike is planning to construct a footbridge there. According to Palike sources, the BBMP is taking up the de-silting project worth Rs three crore, besides the improvement of Ulsoor Lake and construction of a footbridge.

A study conducted by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a Bangalore-based non-governmental organisation, in association with the Lake Protection Forum, an organisation of fishermen, over the first three months of this year on the Vembanad lake has shown that the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) has increased and the level of dissolved oxygen has decreased over these three months.

CHENNAI: This weekend, the lake at Mudichur in Tambaram, which usually wears a deserted look, saw an unusual clean-up crew at work. Along with students in T-shirts and caps scouring the water like treasure hunters, were 42 Marines from the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker that is currently docked at Chennai for a joint Indo-US military exercise.

Armed with cleaning implements, the marines and students — over 60 of them from various schools and colleges across the city – fished out polythene, rubber, thermocol and other environmentally harmful materials from the highly polluted lake.

Glory of City’s largest lake far from being restored; Rs 1.91 crore goes down the drain

Despite spending Rs 1.91 crore, the rejuvenation of the Bellandur lake has been halted midway, states a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
After the State government’s nod, the Bellandur lake, which is spread across 900 acres and is the largest in the City, was to get a facelift.

Sewerage is entering the 169 lakes dotting the city. Pollution of the lake waters has happened because of rapid urbanisation and lack of infrastructure. Additionally, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the Water Board have failed to check the illegal connection of sewerage lines to storm water drains.

After lying orphaned for several years, with nobody knowing whose jurisdiction they came under, the lakes are now being taken care of by the Lake Protection Committee, chaired by the commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, with officials from the various civic departments and Ranga Reddy collectorates as members.

SHILLONG: Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong has admission that the iconic Ward’s Lake of Shillong is polluted due to discharge of untreated wastes from a hotel and the Shillong Club.

Replying to a Call Attention Motion on Thursday he said due to constant seepage of effluents even fishes were dying. He also informed that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had taken up the issue of non-compliance of environment rules by the polluters