Date:05/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080550400300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Once a sprawling lake, now an open drain

Special Correspondent

Photo: P. Goutham

Cesspool: Mosquitoes breed in the neglected Seelavari tank in Salem. —

SALEM: Residents near Seelavari lake here undergo nightmarish experiences.

They could neither sleep during nights nor could remain healthy. Thousands of mosquitoes from the lake invade them at all hours making their life miserable.

The once sprawling lake has now become a cesspool of drainage waters and a dump yard for garbage. Taking advantage of the decaying conditions of the lake, which has also lost its ayacut, mosquitoes breed en mass to set out to cover the entire city.

“Despite our repeated requests the Salem Corporation takes no positive action to control the breeding of mosquitoes. Many of us and our children suffer heavy health problems too,” claimed the residents.

They said that they had purchased plots from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, which has developed the lake into a residential colony.

Now many are reluctant to construct houses thanks to poor sanitary conditions, they added.

The tank has been receiving steady inflow of untreated sewers from the nearby habitations, which in turn has transformed the water spread into a massive drainage pool.

With no support from the Corporation, the residents have decided to meet and chalk out an action plan in this regard.