Chennai’s rapid urbanisation is taking a toll on its vital water resources, with Velachery lake and several other significant waterbodies facing severe encroachments. Once spanning over 221 acres and providing essential floodwater absorption and groundwater recharge, Velachery lake has now been reduced to less than 53 acres, largely due to illegal land occupation. The result? Recurrent floods during the monsoon season and dwindling water reserves during the dry months, making Velachery one of the hardest-hit areas in Chennai.
A recent study conducted by researchers from Presidency College and Nilakottai Government Arts College for Women reveals that this is not an isolated issue. Suburban waterbodies like Ambattur lake, Rettai Eri, and Perungudi lake have lost significant portions of their expanse between 1972 and 2019, with Ambattur lake shrinking by 40% and Velachery lake by 75%. These lakes, once critical to Chennai’s natural water management, are now struggling to perform their hydrological functions due to urban encroachment, exacerbating the city’s vulnerability to both floods and droughts.
The sustainability perspective highlights a disturbing trend. The 2015 floods, followed by the 2019 water scarcity, are directly linked to the shrinking wetland areas, as revealed by the ‘Living Planet Report 2024.’ With a staggering 85% decline in Chennai’s wetlands, vital services like water retention, groundwater recharge, and flood regulation have been severely compromised. The ongoing encroachments not only threaten the ecological balance but also undermine the city’s resilience in the face of climate change, leaving residents exposed to extreme weather patterns.
From a civic and urban planning perspective, the shrinking lakes call for immediate action. Continuous monitoring, stricter enforcement against encroachments, and proactive management are essential to restore these waterbodies. Recently, the National Green Tribunal raised concerns over a government order that alienated Velachery lake land for housing schemes. In response, the state government is exploring ways to increase the lake’s capacity by 50%, but broader and more sustainable solutions are urgently required to protect Chennai’s water future.
