In rapidly transforming suburbs, landscapes once dominated by paddy fields and seasonal crops are now giving way to concrete structures, reflecting a sharp shift in land-use patterns. Agricultural lands are steadily being converted into residential and commercial developments. As a result, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies that once sustained agriculture and local communities are increasingly reduced to dumping grounds, neglected, encroached upon, and forgotten.

E.F.I., in collaboration with the Chengalpattu District Administration, took on the task of restoring one such neglected water body in the Ponmar region of Chengalpattu district. This blog highlights the restoration efforts undertaken to protect and revive this lake.

With increased storage capacity, strengthened embankments, newly created foreshore bunds, nesting islands, and a recharge pit, Ponmar Mettuthangal is now a thriving water body. It supports rich biodiversity, including kingfishers, frogs, snakes, herons, neem trees, palm trees, and many more species.

Volunteer for Chengalpattu and its environment with E.F.I.