City NGO helps restore water bodies in suburban areas

The Candles works towards de-silting drains, removing encroachments on water-bodies and clearing of ponds and lakes of water hyacinth and pollutants. The 2015 floods that affected the Coromandel Coast region brought to light need for proper water management. 

“Through the project ‘Jananam’ we wanted to restore ponds and other waterbodies in the state. We came across a pond filled with dead plants and debris. It was not fit to be used for household purpose. But the villagers actually did so and that inspired us to start the initiative,” says Angelin Prince of The Candles. 

“We went to the spot and divided our volunteers into four groups. Then we allocated a separate area of the pond to be cleaned by each group. First we removed all the plastics, bottles, weeds and other pollutants around the lake. No natural plants were harmed. We also cleaned the area around the water lilies and removed the debris and other waste from the water body,” says Angelin.

They started the work after taking the necessary permission from the panchayat head. “We started with cleaning the area around the pond. Some locals, who knew swimming and were familiar with the pond joined in our efforts and took out the pollutants from the pond. We ensured that the water weeds and other plants stayed in their natural habitat. We only removed the dead plants,”she says and adds, “We have almost cleaned 75 percent of the pond. We couldn’t complete it due to lack of funds and time. But will do so soon.” 

The Candles have also been working extensively in the villages of Mevalurkuppam, Kristhukandigal and Kaatagram to convert them to ‘model villages’. They are looking at the holistic development of these places. “We give free tuition to children from the area. We have also formed a ‘Student’s Parliament’ where they discuss local issues and look at resolving them. We also started a tree plantation drive, where they kids planted the saplings and now water them regularly,” says Angelin.