Vellalore pond is turning into an oxygen factory - Kovai Kulangal Paathukaapu Amaippu
Coimbatore: Vellalore Lake is fast becoming a biodiverse zone following the Singanallur Lake. Volunteers from the Kovai Kulangal Paathukaapu Amaippu have been reclaiming the pond that has been dry for 15 years and turning it into a biodiversity hotspot.
They have rehabilitated the 99-acre pond, erected mounds and turned it into a fertile pond. The land on the edges of the pond has been converted to small forests using the Miyawaki method.
We spoke to Manikandan from Kovai Kulangal Pathukappu Amaippu. He said, "In the beginning, we formed a small group and started cleaning the water bodies in Coimbatore. We then cleaned a part of the Noyyal pathway. We declogged the 6.5 km Raja Vaikkal from the Sangili Karuppan. We restored both the dam and the pathway."
He added, "We then started concentrating on the rehabilitation of the Vellalore pond. Our outfit that started with just 6 people multiplied to 1500 members with the help of our presence on social media. We do our work on weekends, mostly Sunday. Using the Miyawaki method, we planted saplings three years ago on the banks of the pond. Today, the area has a pronounced green cover with over 5000 trees. This has led to proliferation of land-dwelling and water-dwelling. The midpond karuvelam trees attract birds like pelicans, darters, cormorants and ducks. The birds build their nests there, breed and lay their eggs.More than 150 birds visit the pond regularly. Around 45 varieties of butterflies live in the area. Saplings of trees indigenous to Tamil Nadu have been planted."
He added "1400 acres of lands are irrigated through this pond. Encroachments around the pond have been removed. The concerted efforts of Coimbatore Corporation and volunteers have made this possible. The Miyawaki forests negate, to a considerable extent, the pollution created by Vellalore dumpyard."
He added, "We lose a lot of trees due to projects such as road widening, construction of large buildings, etc. They say we have to plant 10 saplings if a tree is cut, but so far as we are concerned, we have to plant and nurture a 100 trees".
He concluded, "Our main needs are water and air. We have done what we could by setting up a biodiverse zone. Because of this, Vellalore pond is turning into an oxygen factory following the Singanallur Lake. We will keep striving to rehabilitate other water bodies in Coimbatore."
They have rehabilitated the 99-acre pond, erected mounds and turned it into a fertile pond. The land on the edges of the pond has been converted to small forests using the Miyawaki method.
We spoke to Manikandan from Kovai Kulangal Pathukappu Amaippu. He said, "In the beginning, we formed a small group and started cleaning the water bodies in Coimbatore. We then cleaned a part of the Noyyal pathway. We declogged the 6.5 km Raja Vaikkal from the Sangili Karuppan. We restored both the dam and the pathway."
He added, "We then started concentrating on the rehabilitation of the Vellalore pond. Our outfit that started with just 6 people multiplied to 1500 members with the help of our presence on social media. We do our work on weekends, mostly Sunday. Using the Miyawaki method, we planted saplings three years ago on the banks of the pond. Today, the area has a pronounced green cover with over 5000 trees. This has led to proliferation of land-dwelling and water-dwelling. The midpond karuvelam trees attract birds like pelicans, darters, cormorants and ducks. The birds build their nests there, breed and lay their eggs.More than 150 birds visit the pond regularly. Around 45 varieties of butterflies live in the area. Saplings of trees indigenous to Tamil Nadu have been planted."
He added "1400 acres of lands are irrigated through this pond. Encroachments around the pond have been removed. The concerted efforts of Coimbatore Corporation and volunteers have made this possible. The Miyawaki forests negate, to a considerable extent, the pollution created by Vellalore dumpyard."
He added, "We lose a lot of trees due to projects such as road widening, construction of large buildings, etc. They say we have to plant 10 saplings if a tree is cut, but so far as we are concerned, we have to plant and nurture a 100 trees".
He concluded, "Our main needs are water and air. We have done what we could by setting up a biodiverse zone. Because of this, Vellalore pond is turning into an oxygen factory following the Singanallur Lake. We will keep striving to rehabilitate other water bodies in Coimbatore."