— Photo:T. Singaravelou

FACING THREAT: Remains of the burnt waste dumped in the lake.

PONDICHERRY: The Ousteri Lake that has already borne the brunt of illegal constructions is now facing another threat due to the dumping of waste materials.

In the recent days, the private companies are using the lake to dump wastes including plastic carry bags, wrappers and thermocol. nquiries made with the locals revealed that these wastes are dumped into the lake during the night. "After a few days of dumping they would come and burn it," says a local person.

Besides the industrial waste, even poultry wastes are being dumped into the lake, adds the local. The lake is one of the largest water bodies here and an internationally recognised wetland.

"Already the lake area has been exposed to construction activities disturbing the eco-sensitivity of the region.

Now, the new way of polluting the lake would destroy it completely," says K. Geetha Nayaka, a PhD Student at the Department of Ecology Pondicherry University.

The student further adds that as a research student she has been a regular visitor to the lake for the last two years for fieldwork and could notice the decline in the number of birds nesting there.

"The area has been exploited to the core. Now the region has been exposed to companies and the dumping has to be nipped in the bud."

Host for water birds

Pointing out the importance of the lake Dr. Priya Davidar, a Professor in Department of Ecology and Envrionmental Sciences, at the University said Osuteri is one of the largest lakes in the Pondicherry region and known to host several thousand water birds.

Many of the birds recorded here such as Spoonbills, Ibises, and Storks belong to the rare and endangered categories. They are in the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

The government should declare the entire area as protected and involve local people for conservation activity, she added.

In addition to its importance as a nesting place for birds, the lake is a vital source for recharging the ground water level in the region.

The government is also planning to use the lake water for drinking water supply, taking into consideration the increasing supply demand.

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