Puliyankulam kanmai renovation work launched

Madurai: Thirunagar-based Wish to Help Foundation, under the guidance of public works department water resources division, began renovation work on Puliyankulam Kanmai in Ward 94 of Madurai corporation on Sunday.The kanmai is one of the primary sources of water supply for residents of Thirunagar. But it is being used as a waste dumping spot, with waste being strewn all around and in the water body spanning 13 -15 acres in diameter. The project involves removing invasive trees like Seemai Karuvelam, water hyacinth and waste, and planting native trees on the bunds around the kanmai to beautify the area. Wish to Help Foundation founder Vishwa said the work currently being done under the CSR fund of a private organisation is only the first phase of beautification and renovation of the kanmai. The kanmai will eventually transform into a small eco park with butterflies and birds, he said. "Desilting work has not been done here for several years. With the help of PWD, once much of the waste around the kanmai has been cleared, we can begin desilting work and also look at using the water as a source for irrigation," he said."Once all of the offending invasive plants are cleared, we will also plant saplings on the bunds around the lake that are native to the area. This will strengthen the bunds and also make adding fencing around the kanmai in the future easier," said Vishwa. "After the desilting work is done, we can add small islands and plants in the middle of the kanmai to attract birds and other plants around the area to attract butterflies. This will make the lake more appealing to the people," he said. A senior PWD official appreciated the efforts taken by the volunteers to clean the kanmai, and said desilting work will begin shortly.The inauguration of the restoration work on Sunday was attended by. ward councillor Swetha Sathyan, president of Coimbatore Ponds Protection Organization Manikandan, Professor Nagarathinam of Madurai Kamaraj University, ophthalmologist Badri Narayanan, C P Ravi, members of walker club associations, social and environment enthusiasts, and volunteers from Thirunagar .