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Tourism plan for Ramanaickan Lake

Hosur: The district administration has embarked on a project to set up eco-tourism in Ramanaickan Lake which is in a state of neglect. Built as a reservoir in reservoir in 1780, the lake is spread in around 20 hectares.

Water level in this tank has a direct bearing on the drinking water problem in Hosur. When the tank dries up the town experiences severe water shortage.

The lake has also been augmenting the fast depleting ground water level in Hosur. But now with borewells being sunk indiscriminately in its banks and because of the failure to desilt it for long has resulted in the lake fast drying up. Given its location and scenic beauty, steps have been taken to introduce a boathouse facility in the lake. The district administration on realising the vast tourism potential has prepared a Rs. 2-crore proposal and forwarded it to the Government, say sources. Collector Santhosh Babu said wild weeds and water hyacinth, which have grown in the water body, would be removed shortly. The bunds of the lake spread over 3.5 km would be strengthened and desiltation works would be taken up to improve the ground water level. The lake has a capacity to hold water throughout the year. As part of the beautification plan a walking strip would be created around the lake to a distance of 3.5 km.

He said more than 35 varieties of medicinal, ayurvedic and herbal plants, including Ashoka, Champak, Dhavanam, Geranium, Jasmine, Citronella Grass, Karpooravalli, Thulasi, Tuberose and Patchouli, would be planted along the walking strip. An amphitheatre, which includes modern concept of meditation, would also form part of the project. Maintenance of the lake would be given to Olirum Hosur, he said.

The district administration had also obtained sanction for developing parks in Hosur and works in this regard would be taken up soon, Mr. Babu said.

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