This follows Collector Kandasamy signing a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with New Delhi-based AICI (Agriculture Insurance Company of India) under a CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative under which the company donated Rs 2.50 crore to develop the Devenanthal irrigation tank to birds to nest and rest there.

The MoU was signed late on Friday on the banks of the tank by Kandasamy and the company’s CMD MK Poddar. The brainchild of Kandasamy, the scheme envisages creating a small island in the 65 acres lake and ensuring that the bunds are strengthened and the facility deepened to enable additional water storage.

Interacting with DT Next, Kandasamy said, “the idea is to increase greenery along the entire stretch and create a mini forest both on the shore and on the island so that it will attract birds. The water from this tank, once full, will serve an ayacut of 1,500 acres in addition to recharging ground water in the locality thereby ending locals demand for water through the year. Stating that the works would be completed within a year, he said the company has promised maintenance assistance for another two years.

Taking a cue from the people’s park with science exhibits and an amphitheatre which he created in front of the Collector’s office on Vellore Road and which was praised by visiting senior IAS officers as the best in the state, Kandasamy said, “plans are afoot to create a cycle track around the Devananthal tank for physical culture enthusiasts. It is also planned to take up similar work on one major irrigation tank each year to benefit both the area and its people.”