Kuruchi Lake Rejuvenation

Kuruchi Lake rejuvenation project was launched in 2019 by our volunteer group in collaboration with Ambalapattu villagers under the name "Iyarkaiyodu Innaivom" meaning "Let's merge with nature". Kuruchi lake with an area of 14.8 acres is one of the three major water bodies in Ambalapattu village.

Over a course of 6 months over 500 people contributed to this rejuvenation project by contributing their time and money. The project was completed at a cost of Rs. 19 lakhs (about 27,000 US Dollars in September 2019 when the books were closed). India Association of San Antonio (IASA) and San Antonio Tamil Sangam (SATS) contributed Rs. 5 lakhs (about 7,000 US Dollars) and kick started the project. Several expatriates from Ambalapattu village, nature lovers world over, and Ambalapattu villagers contributed the remaining Rs. 14 lakhs (about 20,000 US Dollars).

The Volunteer group worked closely with experts from Wake Our Lake and Sabari Green Foundation, who provided design and technical support. The modified design of the lake with three islands (named Aambal, Neythal, and Mani Kulai) in the middle of the lake became a noticeable attraction.

To ensure free flow of water, the volunteer group partnered with Unnal Mudiyum group from Puthiya Thalaimurai to restore about 2 kilometers of water pathway leading to the lake.

The team also planted about 600 native tree saplings on the three islands using Miyawaki methodology and another 1100 tree saplings around the lake to create a conducive micro-climate for water retention. Vanam group and Ohm Sakthi Mills contributed to this effort by donating a large number of tree saplings.

Within days of completion of the project, monsoon brought rain to the region and filled the lake. The success of Kuruchi lake rejuvenation greatly energized the people of Ambalapattu and has become a launch pad for several environmental initiatives in and around the village. This effort also became a notable water body rejuvenation effort across the state of Tamil Nadu and received wide coverage from several media houses.