THE LUNGS OF THE CITY

Lakes and ponds were the lungs of the city and should necessarily be preserved.


Those days, many years ago, Madurai was studded with several ponds and lakes, all connected to each other by numerous canals. These canals ran along by the side of Old Natham Road, Melur Road, and the road leading to Viraganur. There were also branches of these canals that filled several small ponds and tanks in the interior of the city. When the ponds got filled up, the excess water flowed into the Vaigai.


Boating Jaunts

As a college student in 1951, I was familiar with some of these water bodies. We used to watch water birds gliding about on the placid surface of the water. Sometimes there were anglers trying to catch fish with a rod and line. And there were boats in some of these lakes.


The most popular boating spot was the Mariamman Teppakulam. During festival time the tank was surrounded by a seething mass of humanity. My friends and I were regular visitors during the float festival. At other times we went boating in the tank. There were many young lovers too in these boats. They liked to carve their names on the trees or the walls of the mandapam in the middle of the tank, making sure not to write their surnames or initials. We watched these pairs with some envy, and some hope for the future.


Another small lake was situated by the side of the Lady Doak College. Between this lake and the college was a high bund which we used to walk on in the evenings. Sometimes we sat on the bund to chat, and to watch the few boats that plied on the lake used by anglers. We could also get rides in these boats for a small sum. This lake is no longer there. The All India Radio building, the Provident Fund Office and the Kendriya Vidyalaya now occupy this area. I must say the lake looked better.


The Nolting Canal

One of the canals that connected some lakes ran right through the American College campus. It entered the campus from the east and made its exit at the south-western corner, going on to join the river. At reopening time in June the campus was a riot of colours with flame of the forest and other flowers growing in profusion. Many of these flowers fell into the canal making it also colourful. Some ducks swam in this canal quacking away happily. The Bursar of the college, Mr. Nolting, an American gentleman, was very particular that the canal should not be disturbed in any way. And he saw to it that the students did not harm the ducks. Naturally, we named the canal `Nolting Canal'. We spent a lot of time standing near the canal watching the floating flowers and the ducks. It is a pity that the Nolting Canal is no longer there.


Another very huge lake has also been encroached upon, and made extinct. Several huge buildings have come up here like the Rajah Muthiah Mandram, the Law College etc., and most sadly, the Corporation building - a case of the protector turning predator. The edges of another lake have been encroached upon by many buildings including a very big hospital. The tank in the Town Hall Road has disappeared in a plethora of small shops. It is a pity that none of the officials at that time had the knowledge and realization to protect the ponds and lakes. Even the canals have dried because of encroachments.


Once when a new mayor was elected, a certain group organized a meeting to felicitate him. I was one of the speakers. After congratulating him and wishing him well, I mentioned how the water bodies were being vandalized. I pointed out that these lakes and ponds were the lungs of the city and should necessarily be preserved. I requested the new mayor to see to it that at least in the future they were protected from encroachment.


In his reply the new mayor very responsibly replied thus: "Looks like Prof.Vasanthan wants to go boating with his wife. There is one lake just outside Madurai which still has water in it. The professor can perhaps do his boating there."
Is it any wonder that the lakes are going dry?





J. VASANTHAN
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