The Udhagamandalam Municipality (UMC) is fencing off a portion of the Marlimund Lake in Udhagamandalam to prevent tourists, trespassers and cattle from contaminating the water body on which the municipality has become increasingly dependent for water.
According to officials, the municipality had grown increasingly concerned after it came to its attention that tourists were venturing into the lake and around its periphery and were even having picnics. “Buffaloes have also been venturing into the lake and there was a risk of contaminating the water, especially as water levels in Marlimund have fallen below seven feet of its total storage capacity of 18 feet,” said an official from the UMC.
