Edayan Kulam
EdayanKulam has been chosen for restoration by CMWSSB as part of the Sustainable Water Mission. This pond is located on the East and South of Ambattur - Puzhal Surapet Main Road. The pond was almost lost. The bund could not be traced. The water spread was encroached on all sides. A cart track was found cutting across the pond. Building waste and solid wastes were being dumped in the pond. Liquid waste and solid waste were diverted into the pond. The pond water was totally polluted and emanated foulsmell. Now the pond is fully restored under the Chennai Smart City project funds.
AREA: 5058.575 Sq.mtrs ZONE: 3 DIVISION: 25
This pond is located in Division 25 of Zone 3 and is on the Ambathur Puzhal Surapet Main Road. It is located to the East and South of the road. The pond is located at North Latitude 13 9'14.82" and East Longitude 80 11'43.38".
The pond is almost lost. The bund could not be traced. The water spread is encroached on all sides. A cart track was made cutting across the pond. Building waste and solid waste has been dumped in the pond. Liquid waste and solid waste is diverted into the pond. The pond water is totally polluted and emanates a filthy smell. Based on the TSS output, it is inferred that the total area of the pond is 1215.321 sq.m and the total length of the bund is 164.48 m. The average depth of the pond is about 1.5m.
The imagery extracted from google earth on 21.03.2016 and 27.08.2004 is presented below shows major encroachment happening on all sides of the pond.
Google Image of the pond as on 21.03.2016 (LEFT) and 27.08.2004 (RIGHT)
As the pond has been almost encroached the run off model has not been worked out
Based on the field observations and inferences, followed by the data analysis, following were the list of activities proposed for renovating the Pond.
- The community need to be sensitized first on the importance of water body and their role in sustaining the groundwater sources in the area.
- Further encroachment should be checked first by erecting a fencing around the water body.
- Temporary and semi permanent structures erected on the bund and water body should be removed and cleared.
- Dumping of solid waste should be stopped with immediate effect with a sigh board warning on the polluters / violators with serious consequences.
- Sullage and sewage diversion should be stopped. At this stage this would be a tough task to perform as it would lead to local unrest in terms of disposing the sullage water. Hence the source from where the sullage emanates should be addressed by introducing soak pits at the house hold level.
- The existing water should be dewatered and disposed.
- The pond should be desilted and cleaned.
After completing the above tasks it is better to retain the water body as such for 1 year, after which the water body can be converted into a water harvesting and recharge system. Introducing recharge system at this stage would lead to the pollution of groundwater and hence it is not recommended. Bund formation, provision of revetment and steps can be considered at later stage as the pond cannot be brought into immediate use in its present condition.