Chennai: Nanmangalam lake, one of the largest waterbodies under Tambaram corporation, has fallen into severe neglect, with residents flagging unchecked pollution and poor maintenance. Once a freshwater source, the 120-acre lake has now turned into a dumping hotspot, particularly along the Sembakkam side, where large quantities of plastic, vegetable and meat waste are routinely discarded.Despite being maintained by water resources department (WRD), the lake is in poor condition, locals say. The lake is split between Tambaram corporation and Nanmangalam panchayat. While the panchayat side has been fenced to prevent encroachments and dumping, the Tambaram side remains heavily polluted. Dense mats of water hyacinth, along with untreated sewage, cover large portions of the lake.R Sathya, a volunteer with the Saving Nanmangalam Lake initiative, said a dumpyard located barely 50m from the lake bund is the major contributor to the problem. “Every day, cattle and stray dogs gather there to feed on the waste. Though the panchayat clears it periodically, relocating the dumpyard away from the lake is necessary to stop further pollution,” she said. P Suresh, a resident-activist from Sembakkam said,”Illegal connections are allowing sewage to flow directly into the lake. Sewage should be diverted to treatment plants and reused for non-potable purposes.,” he said, adding that he has filed 47 complaints over the past four years without resolution.Responding to the concerns, WRD officials said a detailed project report worth 70 crore has been prepared through SIPCOT’s CSR funds for the lake’s restoration.
