Within the coronary heart of Chennai’s Egmore, inside the premises of the Younger Girls’s Christian Affiliation (YWCA), lies a hidden gem generally known as the “Mermaid Pond.” Regardless of being surrounded by the busy streets and the bustling railway station of Egmore, this pond serves as a spot of tranquility inside the lush greenery of the YWCA campus. Through the years, nonetheless, neglect had taken its toll, with the buildup of heavy silt and poor structural integrity. This prompted E.F.I to embark on a restoration challenge to revive the pond to its former splendor. For the primary time in 25 years.
The pond suffered from a major nutrient overload, primarily stemming from natural particles shed by the adjoining timber and the floor runoff. This led to rampant algal blooms and a decline in its total situation. Additional exacerbating the difficulty was the dearth of correct influx and irregularities in its topography, leading to insufficient water retention capability. Moreover, traces of zinc had been detected within the pond water, probably originating from runoff from close by energy transmission wires.
The restoration course of encompassed a number of essential steps, together with dewatering to facilitate the cleaning of the pond’s floor and development of a two-step embankment to make sure structural integrity and stability.
A nesting island was constructed to offer a house for avian species just like the Cormorant, which is noticed to be frequenting the pond.
Moreover, bamboo fencing alongside the elevated embankment has been erected. A pathway manufactured from jute and stone was made alongside the bunds to keep away from soil erosion and make it possible for the bunds keep intact.
These restoration efforts have created a sturdy and eco-friendly habitat conducive to numerous life types, fostering a fragile steadiness inside the ecosystem. Via cautious planning and implementation of sustainable practices, not solely have we seen a rise in biodiversity, however the space additionally serves as an important habitat. Moreover, this enriched surroundings promotes soil well being and water high quality, which is important for the general well-being of the area.
Volunteer for India and her Setting with E.F.I
