Land encroachment — Urapakkam Lake

Land encroahment has been a very common activity in any under-developed residential area, especially the water bodies. Urapakkam Lake is a recent victim and I personally witnessed it in the last 5 years.

Urapakkam which used to be a welcoming place for peacocks, deers, migrated birds and many other wildlife has now been completely depleted by the greed of local Goondas and irresponsible citizens of this country.

2016

Already encroahment had happened but a simple rain drenched the houses and filled-up the lake

2018–19

The lake being depleted during the summer season without proper care by local administration

Issues

• Drainage water are being dumped into the lake.
• Wastes from apartments are thrown into the lake.
• Constructions are being make in the borders to make the lake area shrink in size.
• Blocking the way so that water doesn’t drain into the lake.

We the local peple tried to stop the illegal activities through physical presence, by making complaints to IAS officer, by registering grievances through TN CM Cell. Yet none of our efforts went on to bear fruit. Many of the local people were threatened and some of them were even harmed during the process. So now nobody has the guts to raise the voice against the greed of the inhumanly humans.

Present state

Solution — not yet

This is the present situation as of 2020–21. Elections are coming up and the recent lockdown has given the illegal people to take advantage of situation.