Kerala - Alappuzha   

Pollution of Vembanad Lake posing threat to marine life

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, FEB. 4. A large number of fish were found dead at Kattachira, Thaneermukkom and Nelliamthode sectors of Vembanad lake possibly from the pollution of the Vembanad Lake.

The fishermen in the area said that large-scale pollution of Vembanad lake from the effluents discharged from big industrial houses was the reason for the fish death. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board officials in the district said there could be other reasons for the death which needed to be studied.

The fishermen alleged that a liquor manufacturing company at Varanad near Cherthala and some coir factories at Cherthala were releasing effluents into the lake without proper treatment. They estimated the loss from the death of fishes at more than Rs. 1 crore. The deputy director of fisheries, Alappuzha, Balachandran Pillai, said initial investigations showed that the depletion of oxygen level in the water was the reason for the destruction of marine life.

Pollution of the lake was one of the reasons for the depletion of oxygen content, Mr. Pillai said. The reason for the death of fish should be studied in detail, he said. The locals in the area said the retting of coconut husk in the lake and the release of chemicals by the coir industry had polluted the water. As the shutters of the Thanneermukkom barriage had been closed, there was no flow of water in the area which worsened the situation.

It is also pointed out that the dumping of wastes from houseboats and other service boats into the lake was also contributing to the pollution of the lake. The flow of fresh water into the lake through the River Pampa has decreased, farmers in the area said.

Meanwhile, the pollution control board officials and the Alappuzha Revenue Divisional Officer today visited the site and took samples of water for detailed study.

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