Invasive seemai karuvelam at Korattur lake being removed

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A portion of the long-neglected Korattur Lake is set to get a facelift as residents and non-government organisations have collaborated to remove invasive vegetation, Prosopis juliflora (seemai karuvelam) since Monday (July 13, 2026).Belonging to a chain of water bodies that drain into Retteri, the Korattur lake remains a significant source of groundwater recharge and haven for resident and migratory birds.In a bid to improve the lake environment, Korattur Aeri Pathukappu Makkal Iyakkam (KAPMI), a citizens’ movement voicing for the lake restoration, joined hands Exnora International and residents to remove invasive vegetation from along the lake near Karukku. The initiative follows the Madras High Court directive to eradicate invasive species and approval from the Chennai Collectorate, said residents.Members of KAPMI noted that the vegetation is being removed along the water body, which was encroached upon. There are plans to plant native tree species, including cluster fig in the cleaned portion along the lake.The work is being carried out with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund from Lucas-TVS. While volunteering work to clean the lake’s periphery is being carried out every week, residents state that the waterbody continues to be plagued by sewage pollution.S. Sekaran, KAPMI’s secretary, said a bird census conducted along with the State Forest Department recorded nearly 162 bird species at the lake, making it a preferred destination for bird watchers. Despite the National Green Tribunal’s southern bench directive to arrest untreated sewage release into the lake, the pollution continued into the water body.Member of the KAPMI had also made a representation to Ambattur MLA G. Balamurugan, who inaugurated the initiative, to declare the Korattur lake as a bird sanctuary. Residents also stressed on desilting and deepening the lake to increase its storage capacity and arrest sewage pollution. They also wanted encroachments to be cleared from the lake. Published - July 17, 2026 07:32 pm IST