The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Triplicane residents show the way in conservation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Triplicane residents show the way in conservation

Kannal Achuthan

Parthasarathy temple tank is now a scenic spot

CONSERVATION SUCCESS: Community participation has made the Parthasarathy temple tank a centre of activity. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI:

Thanks to the steps taken by residents in Triplicane, the Parthasarathy temple tank has now become a scenic spot. The sustained efforts have retained the flavour of heritage in this part of Triplicane.

With the onset of North East monsoon, the bounty of the tank — which has water even in the driest of seasons — is only set to increase. The steps around the tank wear a green look as herbal gardens are being grown by volunteers.

The gleaming waters of the tank have become the backdrop of many social activities. Srinivas Young Men's Association (SYMA), the group actively involved in the protection of the tank, has even made it the venue for music concerts during the weekends.

"Every evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., people are allowed to walk around the tank," says T J Ramani, president of SYMA.

He believes that the tank should be used by the people rather than be kept locked as a showpiece.

"Star trees"

The "star trees" planted by the association are another attraction. For instance, those born under the "uthra nakshathram" can water their star tree `arali'. "Flowers from the tank garden are offered to the temple deity every day," says Uthra Sarang, a committee member of SYMA.

The secret of the tank's storage lies with the rainwater harvesting structures.

Water from streets around the tank are directed into it. Two wells with internal recharge bores ensure that every drop of water that flows into the tank is saved.

Groundwater levels in the area improve considerably during the monsoon, residents say. They hope that the example will be emulated in other localities having temple tanks.

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