Brining back to life a lost pond
The lost ‘Oorani’ Nila Oorani (pond) located in Madurai Corporation (Tamil Nadu), slowly vanished from the memories of the locals and the corporation itself, except in revenue records when HCL Foundation, in partnership with DHAN Vayalagam Foundation with the support of Madurai Corporation and the revenue department took up the initiative of rejuvenating this 1.9 acres oorani, which was demarcated. The initial topographical survey revealed that the water holding capacity was less than 10,000 litres. Later, the Oorani was de-silted to create storage with a water holding capacity of 10 lakh litres and the excavated silt was utilized to establish bunds. The ‘Nila Oorani Conservation Association’ was formed comprising of the interested community members, to monitor and maintain the Oorani for generations to come.