Chennai: Once much sought after, Chetpet lake eco-tourism spot, located in the heart of the city, has lost its sheen now as water is receding from the rain-fed lake.
This has prompted the fisheries department to stop boat riding, which attracted many visitors. However, officials are firm that boating ride will resume, once the lake is filled with rainwater.
Opened in February, 2016, the EcoPark continued to remain as a sight for sore eyes. However, the euphoria lasted till December 2016, as cyclone ‘Vardah’ flattened the trees and lamps on the premises of EcoPark. Later, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation (TNFDC), which is maintaining the park, made efforts to restore the park and boating ride resumed with number of tourists visiting the spot.
“Water level in the lake started receding, since there is no rain for the last eight months in the city. In such a condition, mounds of silt are seen in the lake and the officials stopped boat riding,” said staff, in-charge of the park. The EcoPark usually records around 600 footfalls a day and now the number has declined to around 200, the staff said, adding that many visitors enquire about boating facility. However, the staff claimed that since mercury level has been rising in the city, more number of people keep visiting the park, which has a track for walking and jogging.
“Further, many prefer to take food, as the premises has food court,” the staff pointed out. Meanwhile, city residents said that the officials should have maintained the eco-park well. “Two years ago, I used to stop my two-wheeler along the road and see the lake, where a score of boats would float around.
However, now the eco-park wears a deserted look,” said M. Kamalanathan, a college student, who also said that he had visited the park every weekend. When contacted, G.S. Sameeran, director of fisheries, TNFDC, said, “Water is main reason for stopping boat facility. Since we have outsourced the EcoPark maintenance, revenue will not be affected. Steps are underway to improve the eco-park.”
