By Harini Dinesh Kumar
A 1000-year-old and 6-km-long lake that was presumably created by Rajaraja Cholan for his wife in Thanjavur is facing a sea of problems from encroachment to pollution from all sides.
Living up to its name, the massive Samuthiram lake in Keelavasal Paalakara Street features waves just like an ocean. Mythological references state that Rajaraja Cholan created it for his wife as she wanted to witness a sea in Thanjavur with waves.
According to local sources, this sea-like lake has been polluted for the past 20 years due to the disposal of drainage, and as a result, local agriculture that is dependent on the lake water for irrigation is affected and the farmers are no longer able to have three harvests per year.
Notwithstanding the drainage pollution, encroachments and poor maintenance of the lake are causing occasional flooding damaging nearby houses and causing health hazards.
Adding to the encroachments, a state road bifurcates the lake. Also, the pathway leading to the lake is heavily damaged and posing danger to the commuters. Political promises for a new connecting bridge have been remaining unfulfilled.
“During rainy seasons, we suffer a lot. The gutter water comes straight to our houses. It affects our children and our belongings. These days, we are ignored by the government even during these calamities,” said a resident near the lake. Staying at a low level, most of the rainwater in Thanjavur gets harvested in this lake for agricultural and other uses. While one part of the bifurcated lake is heavily polluted with waste water, the better half of the lake is used for drinking and fishing.
Edited by Francis P. Barclay and Apsara R.
Photo credit: Harini Dinesh Kumar
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