Puthur lake near Krishnagiri shrinks due to encroachments and dumping of waste, farmers say

KRISHNAGIRI: Farmers have urged authorities to take strict action against people who dump waste and construction materials into the Puthur lake in Kattikhanapalli panchayat near Krishnagiri. According to them, the lake is shrinking as waste and debris are being dumped into it. More than 100 houses were built around the lake through encroachments, they said.The lake, which had spread across 105 acres till a few years, is now only 70 acres. “The lake irrigates around 1,400 acres of farmland and generates several lakhs of rupees for govt through fishing auction,” said Govindasamy K, a farmer.Farmers alleged that sanitation workers and residents were dumping waste into the lake. Meat sellers were throwing bags of chicken waste into the water. They said the dumping of garbage and debris was polluting the water.