TIRUPUR: Restoration work began in the Kanoor lake in Tirupur district on Tuesday in the presence of officials from the water resources department (PWD). The lake is under the control of the PWD.Located between Avinashi and Annur, the lake spans approximately 150 acres and is a key freshwater source in the region. It is linked to the Avinashi–Athikadavu groundwater recharge scheme. The lake, which falls under the Kanoor panchayat in Avinashi union, serves as a key water source for agricultural land and local bodies in more than 20 surrounding villages, said P K Selvaraj, founder of Kousika Neerkarangal. The work is being carried out with the support of Kousika Neerkarangal, the Kanoor Lake Protection Association. It has received financial assistance from a private small finance bank. “The project aims at improving biodiversity in the lake by creating soil mounds and planting trees around the water body,” said Selvaraj.“The restoration is essential to store rainwater during the monsoon season as well as water received through the Avinashi–Athikadavu scheme,” he added. M Sivakumar, assistant executive engineer of the water resources department, said once the restoration work is completed, the lake will be capable of storing around 80 crore litres of freshwater. Desilting, planting trees, placing boards, strengthening the buds and canal desilting would also be carried out as part of the lake restoration work, he added.
