Kollam: The Ashtamudi lake is posing a threat to the health of the residents of the city due to its high pollution levels. It was declared as a Ramsar site by the international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands which was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, but the authorities concerned have failed to take any steps for its conservation.
Untreated effluents from various hospitals and sewage from many establishments flow into it despite protests by environmental activists. The Pollution Control Board had sanctioned Rs 39 lakh to construct a treatment plant at the district Victoria hospital here two years ago, but the project has not materialised yet.
“The district panchayat has just started the initial steps to set up a sewage plant with the money provided by the PCB, and invited proposals and tenders. An expert team representing the wetland authority under the ministry of environment and the central PCB recently visited the lake to study its pollution. Preventive steps can be taken only by a joint initiative by various government departments. Action plans can be submitted to the government by local bodies,” Bindhu Radhakrishnan, environmental engineer, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Kollam, told DC.
Hospitals and industrial and commercial establishments in Kollam corporation discharge solid and liquid waste, including toilet waste, into the sewers which find its way into the lake through the Kollam thodu.
The foul odour around KSRTC bus stand, boat jetty and areas near Ashtamudi lake is due to the waste being discharged into it. The analysis of samples from various parts of the lake reveals that the quality of water is bad. The lake has also lost over 27 sq km area due to pollution and encroachments during the last decade.
