Kerala - Alappuzha   

Vembanad lake project planned

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The preliminary work for the preparation of a comprehensive project for the preservation of Vembanad lake, one of the water bodies listed in the Ramasar site, has begun. The project is being prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Ministry is planning to implement the project with the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the people who live by the sides of the lake. A three-member team of experts led by E.J. James, Executive Director of the Centre for Water Resources Development, Kozhikode, visited Kuttanad recently to make a preliminary study. C.L. Thrisal, South Asia Director of Wetland International, and S. Kaul from the Ministry of Environments and Forests were the other members of the team.

The team held discussions with Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal, executive director of the Kuttanad Vikasana Samiti, an NGO based in Kuttanad. It is learnt that NGOs and Ayalkoottams will have a key role in implementing the project. According to official sources, the project aims at controlling the pollution of the lake without affecting the livelihood of the people who reside by its shores. Another team of officials is likely to visit Kuttanad in two weeks to collect more data with the help of the public. The team will interact with farmers, farm labourers, fishermen and other sections of people based on a questionnaire and collect data for the project.

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