3 monsoons, that is how long our work stretched at this massive lake located nearly 100kms away from Chennai. Polambakkam is a strong agrarian belt with industrial ambitions in the horizon. With immediate beneficiaries located downstream, deepening and increasing its storage has had instant impact on crop output at this village. As water from the Melmaruvathur region flows down towards Chittamur and Cheyyur, Polambakkam has been the enroute beneficiary. Shallow lake bed and clogged canals meant flooding and eventually no water just months later. This has now been reversed. Story of patient revival of a water body that is home to Painted Storks, Chitra indica, Rat snake and more.

Reviving lakes such as the Polambakkam Periya eri has its unique challenges, ranging from field encroachment, silt demand, theft by miscreants during execution, community demands, seasonal surprises and more. Getting a hydrologically appropriate, ecologically sensitive restoration done is site specific, Polambakkam Periya Eri is a fine example for that.

Volunteer for India & her Environment with E.F.I