The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Fish seeds released into Kolleru

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 19, 2007
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Fish seeds released into Kolleru

Staff Reporter

Aim is to develop native species

Concern over discharge of pollutants into lake
Fishermen allege neglect of healthcare

PRATTIKOLLALANKA (WEST GODAVARI DIST): Collector G. Jayalakshmi on Sunday released fish seeds into the Kolleru lake near this fishermen habitation as part of `Kolleru Meenotsavam’. It was decided to release 20 lakh fish seeds of `seelavati’, `rohu’ and `jayanti rohu’ varieties into the lake at all the island villages in and around the lake during the festival. The move is aimed at developing native species in the lake in natural environment in the post-Operation Kolleru period as a substitute for commercial fish farming in ponds.

However, the so-called `meenotsavam’ raised serious doubts over the chances of survival of fish seeds due to discharge of pollutants into the lake from the catchment area.

Local fishermen’s leader Jayamangala Rama Rao recalled that not even 30 per cent of seeds released last year during the meenotsavam had survived. He urged the Government to address the problems relating to discharge of industrial effluents, untreated sewerage from the nearby urban areas and agricultural run-offs on a priority basis and thereby save the lake from pollution.

Poor survival chance

Even as 13,000 cusecs of sewerage water was joining the lake along with industrial pollutants, the survival of fish seeds was coming under a serious threat, he observed. Release of seeds quite behind the schedule was also one of the reasons for the poor chances of survival.

The fish seeds were supposed to have been released into the water body in August, giving abundant time for growth of fish up to November. December was the right time for harvesting, he commented.

Ghantasala Mahalakshmi Raju, another leader from the fishermen community, said almost all the belt and bed villages with fishermen population looked deserted due to migration of Kolleru people on a large-scale after the dismantling of tanks in pursuit of employment.

He said the Kolleru villages were subjected to utter neglect by the administration with respect to healthcare. He complained that a Malaria Officer posted at the Primary Health Centre at this village was away on deputation even as the local villages were exposed to the risk of malaria.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh