The School St Pond located adjacent to the Metro Water Pumping station in Sholinganallur is a unique community pond. A stone’s throw from the Buckingham Canal this water body is actively used by the neighborhood residents. From being used for bathing, washing and leisure walking, the pond is a local community meeting point.
As in the case of any urban water body, owing to lack of upkeep and maintenance the water body accumulated trash, invasive weeds and over a period of time was turning into a cesspool. The Greater Chennai Corporation, Rotary Club of Thiruvanmiyur and Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I) got into a collaboration to clean and revive the pond.
Prior to the 2020 NE Monsoons, the water body was cleaned using machinery, this included efforts such as removal of nondegradable trash, invasive plants etc. E.F.I had earlier desilted and deepened the pond to increase its storage capacity. Further to these efforts protective fencing has come along the circumference of the pond to prevent future abuse.
The cleaned, deepened water body is today brimming with water and is a vibrant local recharge source. We thank all those who supported us in restoring this water body.
Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I, Jai Hind