Vembanad conservation: Studies aplenty, no action

Kochi: While the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishat (KSSP) has set up a People’s Commission to study the Vembanad Lake ecosystem and to suggest viable solutions for conserving the lake, a section of environmentalists remark that instead of new studies, effective steps were needed to protect the water body.

According to them, such studies would not help the fast shrinking water body. Fishermen have also objected to the People’s Commission saying that the commission members lack experience and in-depth knowledge about the lake and the coastal eco system.

The People’s Commission is planning to carry out a comprehensive study into the livelihood options of local communities, nature and extent of encroachments and violations of law in the wetland system.

“Instead of announcing new studies, the government should take immediate steps to prevent further encroachment of the lake. Illegal encroachment of the backwaters is a major problem.  Satellite mapping should be done by the National Remote Sensing Centre and the geographical boundaries of the lake should be re-marked,” said Dr. C.M Joy, environmental expert. Moreover, agencies like KSSP with clear political leanings would not be able to take any measures in preventing encroachment of the lake, as it had many limitations.

There is no dearth of study reports on Vembanad Lake. Several national and international universities have already conducted comprehensive studies on Vembanad Lake and recommended conservation measures.

CUSAT and the CMFRI conducted studies on the eco system, chemical contamination and fisheries resources of the lake.

Rapid depletion in fisheries resources in the lake is due to the massive destruction of mangroves along the coastal areas. “Fishes have lost their habitat and migrated to other places,” said Dr. Joy.