The Hindu : Kerala / Kollam News : A stream fading into history

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Monday, Sep 20, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kollam

A stream fading into history

By Our Staff Reporter

A view of the choked Kattaka Kayal stream at Shakthikulangara in Kollam.

KOLLAM, SEPT. 19. The Kattaka Kayal, a two-km long stream that once served as the lifeline for most of the commercial activities at Shakthikulangara will soon vanish from the map of Kollam city, it is feared. Garbage dumps and sewage outlets have choked the stream to such an extent that the stream is today a stretch of environmental hazard within the city.

Origins

The stream which originates from the 36-acre Vattakayal, a lake at Maruthadi in the city, flows into the vast Ashtamudi Lake at Shakthikulangara. It is actually an outlet through which the Vattakayal breathes by letting out and taking in water from the Ashtamudi Lake.

Forty years ago the width of the stream ranged from 90 meters to 120 meters. It has now shrunk to a width ranging from 3 meters to 30 meters. Today the stream does not flow, it only trickles. Filled with muck, the water reflects a black tinge.

Clean in the fifties

The president of the Kollam Fishing Harbour General Workmen's Union, Naithil Vincent, said that in his younger days during the late 1950's with friends he used to take lavish baths in the stream which at that time was so clean. There were three jetty's along the course of the stream and huge freight carrying kettuvalams used to berth there for bringing in products and taking out the local produce which was mainly seafood.

The Vattakayal was home for more than 20 species of edible fish including karimeen and poomeen. The regular inflow and outflow of water through the stream enabled the Vattakayal to maintain itself as a fine brackish water lake and this had enabled the fish species to thrive there. However, today except for the exotic Thilopi species, all other fish have become extinct.

Stream reclaimed

A good portion of the stream had been reclaimed by private individuals living on either banks and this is how the lake had shrunk.

But efforts are on to save the stream. A group of persons have joined hands to launch a campaign and spread awareness on the need to enable the stream gain its lost glory. But for the purpose the support of the authorities is being sought. Mr. Vincent has taken the initiative in this regard. The help of the Minor Irrigation Department and the Kollam City Corporation is also being sought.

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