Melakottaiyur, earlier known as Kottaiyur – roughly translating to the be Fort town from the Chola era is home to an incredible stone work ancient temple and several folklores. Our lake here sure has a unique identity of having quenched thirst from the Chola kings to the youth of today who are set to rule the future.

The Vandalur-Kelambakkam road transformed an erstwhile agrarian wilderness into an urban jungle. From Otteri to Vannan Eri nearly 264 water bodies dot this landscape close to the motorway. One such a water body that was steadily turning to become a dumpyard is the Melakottaiyur lake. Under the #BlueGreenChengalpet Mission the lake was taken up for restoration. From defining legal boundary to establishing the ‘G’ shaped EFI nesting island, considerable effort went into revival of the lake.

Melakottaiyur is a treasure trove of historical facts-wealth and knowledge. Reviving a lake in this region brings many to focus the rich cultural-natural heritage of suburban Chennai. Not evolved in the last few 100 years, been here for 1000s and shall fight it out for centuries to come is the BlueGreenResilience.

Volunteer for Chennai and her environment with E.F.I