Two students study the Perumbakkam lake to assess its ecological health

The Class VIII students of The School - KFI recently presented their work at the Children’s Science Congress organised by Tamil Nadu Science Forum and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences

During their trips to and from school, two friends — Aadhiran N. A. and Caroline Zita Dias — would observe Asian Opebill storks around a section of Perumbakkam lake. They felt this species was dwindling in these parts. The two Class VIII students of The School KFI have witnessed the rain waters flood the localities around Perumbakkam lake. All these were good enough reasons for the two to take up a project that they presented at the recently concluded Children’s Science Congress organised by Tamil Nadu Science Forum and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

Under the theme “Water for sustainable management”, they show how ecological degradation is under way at the Perumbakkam lake and the socio-economic implications of this situation.

“During our field visits we collected samples of the water and gave it to a lab and found out it was extremely polluted,” say the two classmates who go on wetland tours.

To understand the socio-economic challenges, the two had the task of convincing families residing in the Perumbakkam settlement to talk about the struggles they face including the health-related concerns due to poor sanitation.

Startled by the observations in their study, the two wrote a letter to the Chengalpattu Collector S.Arunraj suggesting that steps be taken to conserve the waterbody. This also includes taking action on illegal encroachments around the lake and penalising those not following Solid Waste Management Rules.

“We were also asked to send the project to the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board that oversees the settlement,” says Aadhiran.

“We plan to present their findings to the member of parliament. We are a 14-member group in Class VIII called Blue Brigade and we will be creating awareness through art at the Perumbakkam housing board,” says Caroline, adding that social media is another tool they will harness for the lake to get justice.