Selaiyur Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in South Chennai spread over 177 acres. This lake if maintained properly can help to solve the water scarcity issues of people residing in Selaiyur, We are continuously working for 45+ weeks for restoring the ecosystem function of the lake. During the eco-restoration activity we organized community awareness programmes, Do not litter campaigns, Parai drum awareness events, public consultation, door to door pamphlet distribution to prevent littering and dumping of solid waste again in to lake shore and lake bund.

To achieve this objective Eco Society India joined hands with like-minded organizations such as Sabari Green Foundation, Nammal Muddiyum Kuzhu of Puthiya Thalaimurai TV, Makkal Paathai, Seva Bharathi Tamil Nadu, Yer Kalappai Arakkattalai, 360 Youth Group, Makkal Qodaga maiyam, Chennai Trekking club, Lions club Tambaram Central and Vithaipathu Vidhi and Win TV as the Media partner for Selaiyur Lake Eco-restoration.

Impact:

45+ weeks of cleanup and restoration.
Outcome: Restoration by removal of invasive plants in the lake bund spanning 2 km.
Removal of 12 tons of plastic waste. Clean lake shore.
Eco-restoration of Agaramthen Wetland.

ECO-RESTORATION OF AGARAMTHEN WETLAND:

Eco Society India is actively working on eco-restoration of Agaramthen, wetland for the past 4 years spread over more than 60+ weeks by organizing restoration activities with the help of volunteers and students. Agaramthen wetland is a sprawling 84 hectare wetland situated very close to Chennai City and provides habitat for birds, reptiles, mammals, insects and other living beings.

Our Biodiversity Assessment studies at Agaramthen Wetland :

Recorded - 103 Species of Terrestrial Plants.

Recorded - 43 Species of Aquatic Plants.

Recorded - 72 Species of Birds. (Migratory and Resident).

Recorded - 33 Species of Butterflies.

Recorded - 20 Species of Qdonates.

Recorded - 19 Species of Fishes.

The major objective is to restore and protect the Agaramthen natural wetland from various disturbances to the wetland ecology by creating awareness among the local community, removal of Solid wastes from the inflow channels and along the shore, prevent discharge of raw sewage into the wetland, removal of invasive plants, and protect the native vegetation and protect the biodiversity of the wetland that supports livelihood security for over 300 poor tribal families living around of the wetland.

Eco society India partnered with IT companies such as Cognizant Outreach team, Tata consultancy services — Maitree, for volunteers support during the weekly cleanup and restoration and tree plantation activities. Volunteers of other IT companies like Ensono technologies and Amazon India also participated for the weekly cleanup.

Student volunteers from Madras Christian College and Easwari Engineering College has actively participated in the Eco-restoration activities.

ECO-RESTORATION OF KOVALAM MANGROVES:

Mangroves are trees and shrub species that grow at the interface between land and sea in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, where the plants exist in conditions of salinity, tidal water flow and muddy soil.

Therefore a mangrove ecosystem is the interface between terrestrial forests and aquatic marine ecosystems. A vast coastal populace depends on this ecosystem for their traditional livelihoods. Mangrove ecosystems are under heavy pressure due to increased human population in coastal areas and rising demand for small timber, fodder, fuel-wood and other non-wood forest products.

Eco Society India is restoring the mangroves in South Chennai region with appropriate management and conservation strategies to conserve and sustainably generate the ecosystem benefits along with the forest products to meet the needs of local people. Stay in touch with mangroves restoration by joining our facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/lakerestoration/

Impact: 4+ weeks of beach cleanups.

Outcome: Removal of 1.5 tons of plastic waste. Clean marine waters.