Puducherry: Ousteri lake, a proposed bird sanctuary, is considered to play an important role in recharging ground water in Puducherry, which largely depends on the source for drinking water supply. Though the monsoon has brought rain in the region, the lake hasn’t filled up, causing concern among many. The present water level in the lake is 1.6m where the total depth is 3.6 m. Shortage of rainfall in adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu and upper canal areas affected the storage capacity of the tank. Only 27 minor dams are full. They will be able to fill only about 60 per cent of the lake, officials say.
The main water source of the lake is Suthukeni dam which receives water from Veedur reservoir of Villupuram district. Less rain in Gingee and other areas, where the river originates, decreased the flow to the lake and Veedur dam is not full yet.
But a larger problem that is being pointed out is the lack of coordination between departments of forests and public works which remain a burden in the proper maintenance of the lake affecting its storage capacity.
Irrigation, water resource maintenance, other maintenance works of shutters and dams are done by Public Works Department (PWD.) Conservation of ecosystem of the lake is under the jurisdiction of forest department. “There lies an ego clash between these departments which is the main hindrance to the proper maintenance of the water body,” admits an official.
Puducherry government allotted Rs 10 crore for desilting the lake to increase its capacity. The work is to be done by the PWD. “Even though the money was allotted in the interim budget we have not received the money yet and there was problem with getting No Objection Certificate. Probably next year we will be able to do it,” says P. Karthikeyan, MLA of Ossudu constituency where the lake is situated.
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