A major lake dying slowly
The Hindu
It is not in a position to hold water to its capacity
NAGERCOIL
Putheri, one of the major lakes in Kanniyakumari, is dying slowly. Encroachments, neglect, termination of agriculture in its command area in the wake of real estate development, release of untreated sewage and very recently filling of half the lake for laying a highway reduced the lake into a pale shadow of yesteryear.
“In its original capacity, it is capable of storing water in huge quantities. Water enters nearby residential areas because the lake is no longer in a position to hold water to its capacity,” said P. Kannan, the president of Putheri Panchayat.
Forest Department’s afforestation plans go awry as A.P. govt. fails to release CAMPA funds in time. The department has not been able to implement its Annual Plan Operation since 2018-19 despite the Union government releasing funds, and the interest accrued on unutilised funds now stands at ₹250 crore.