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“Citizen groups have a major role to play in protecting waterbodies”

Special Correspondent

Lake protection authority sought

TAMBARAM: Academics, elected representatives, members of non-governmental organisations and corporate sector on Friday underscored the importance of contribution from all sections of society to protect waterbodies across the State.

At a meeting to mark the launch of the website of ‘Neer Nilaigal Exnora’ — www.neernilaigalexnora.com — at Madipakkam, they said that just as the State government was serious about protecting waterbodies, citizens groups should come together to supplement the effort.

The Director of Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, K. Karunakaran, said both the administrators and politicians had realised the importance of water and were according top priority to protecting the waterbodies. The State government had taken steps to protect lakes and tanks. Those coming to power in the future should also do the same, Mr. Karunakaran said.

Ullagaram–Puzhuthivakkam Municipal Chairman P.A. Jayachandran said that in the past, there were five waterbodies in the local body’s jurisdiction. But the number had come down to one with dwelling units coming up on the rest.

The only remaining waterbody was a temple tank and steps were being initiated to protect it, Mr. Jayachandran said. Coordinator of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry R. Ramamurthy appealed to the industries to contribute more to protection of the waterbodies.

In his capacity as coordinator of the FICCI, Mr. Ramamurthy said he would urge industries to devote greater attention and funds towards this objective. Senator of Exnora V. Rama Rao moved a resolution urging the State government to constitute a lake protection authority on the lines of the one in place in Karnataka.

Exnora International founder M.B. Nirmal made a presentation on the status of some waterbodies around Chennai and about the objectives of the new wing of Exnora International.

Director of Water Bodies Exnora K.R. Sivaraman said an important task of the organisation was to identify existing waterbodies in each and every village and town throughout Tamil Nadu and to document them with details about their expanse, classification and the government agency looking after it.

Activists suggested that government agencies and research institutions be roped in to provide their expertise in protecting waterbodies .

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