Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Weeds swamping Ooty lake

By D. Radhakrishnan

The problem of weeds in Ooty lake has acquired an alarming dimension.

Udhagamandalam June 4. With the response from those at the helm of affairs in Chennai not matching the gravity of the situation, the weed problem in Ooty lake has reached alarming proportions. With warning signs having gone unheeded, the lake is on the verge of being completely covered with water hyacinth. Already, out of a 45-acre waterspread, 30 acres has been rendered useless with the weeds spreading close to the boat jetties.

Though for some time now assurance have been given frequently, a lasting solution would be found to the problem at an estimated cost of Rs.1.75 crores, nothing tangible has emerged till now. It was even stated that the amount had been received from the Union Government and work on improving the condition of the lake would be taken up early in March 2002. However, it is now learnt that the scheme is bogged down at the level of the Tenders Awarding Committee of the PWD in Chennai.

Meanwhile the deplorable condition of the lake and the attitude of the decision makers have become a major source of concern to the people here in generalIt is ironical that though the State Tourism Minister, A. Miller, is from the Nilgiris, the lake is being neglected. During April/May 2002 as many as 5 lakh tourists visited the lake, a 10 per cent increase over last year, notwithstanding its polluted condition.

Among the visitors were senior officers from the State and the Centre.

Meanwhile, the Nilgiris Collector, Supriya Sahu, has drawn up a plan with the help of some NGOs and other agencies to launch a campaign around June 9, to remove the weeds as a temporary measure.

It would be under the aegis of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, INTACH and some local industrial houses.

About 60 volunteers would be drawn from the Nilgiris district Nehru Yuva Kendra and the Home Guards.

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