The Salem Corporation is clearing bushes on 55 acres in Panamarathupatti Lake and will plant 55,000 saplings and seek ₹25 crore as special assistance from the Union government under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investments (SASCI) scheme to redevelop the lake into a tourist spot.

Built by the British in 1911 at ₹9.68 lakh, the 2,137 acre-Panamarathupatti Lake was once the main source of drinking water for Salem Corporation. When there was heavy rain in Jarugumalai, the rainwater passed through Varattaru and Kottaru to reach Panamarathupatti Lake. However, the water body stopped receiving water 25 years ago due to encroachments on the path and due to several other reasons.

Salem Corporation tried to rejuvenate the lake and make it a major tourist destination, but could not do so due to fund issues. The civic body sent a proposal to the State government last year to develop the lake as a tourist spot at ₹230 crore, which is still pending.

Meanwhile, the Corporation decided to plant saplings at ₹10 lakh on 55 acres to convert the lake into a tourist spot.

Salem Corporation officials said the clearing work and planting of saplings would be completed in a month and a project proposal would be sent to the Union government. If the government accepted the plan of creating greenery on the 55 acres, Salem Corporation would get ₹25 crore in assistance, and using those funds, it would redevelop the lake into a tourist spot, the officials added.