Dying Tanks in Urban Areas: What Can Be Done with Them?

Abstract

Cities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu grow out of agricultural villages with very least attention to adopt and modify their past land uses. In the process, the water bodies such as the tanks, ponds, and the network of channels that served agriculture get converted into communal facilities. Madurai, the second major city in the state has developed most of its important civic infrastructures, educational facilities, bus stands, and public office complexes on tank beds. While the irrigated area became townships the channel networks became inner roads and sewage networks of the city. Parts of the few remaining and surviving tanks are engulfed by the expanding slums. In consequence, the city faces frequent floods, rapidly falling ground water, declining water quality and health hazards. While the law and policy expressly claims the tanks to be saved the case study shows the practice as contrary; and calls for better uses of these dying tanks.