The Salem Corporation gave its consent to a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to remove the Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) trees from the Panamarathupatti Lake that spreads over 2,137 acre.

Panamarathupatti Lake, once the main source of drinking water for Salem Corporation residents, was built by the British in 1911 at a cost of ₹9.68 lakh. In the early 1980s, film shootings took place at the lake. But later, due to encroachments on the path of water coming to the lake, it started to dry and the lake was fully covered by bushes, especially the Seemai Karuvelam.

The Salem Corporation took many steps to turn the lake into a tourist spot and sent a proposal to renovate it to the government. But due to funding constraints, the renovation did not take place. Last year, the Corporation cleaned bushes on 55 acre in Panamarathupatti Lake and 55,000 saplings were planted to get ₹25 crore in special assistance from the Union Government under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investments (SASCI) scheme.

Meanwhile, the Salem Corporation gave its consent to an NGO based in Tiruchi, along with volunteers, to remove the Seemai Karuvelam trees from the lake.

The Corporation officials said the NGO desilted three lakes in Tiruchi district with the permission of the government and renovated them. Without rent, through excavator machines, the NGO will remove the trees and renovate the lake. The Corporation gave consent only to remove the Seemai Karuvelam trees and using the mud, they will strengthen the banks of the lake. They also will create places for birds and will sow palm seeds and other tree saplings. The NGO will do this work free of cost, the officials added.