KOLLAM: The unscientific construction of the spillway at Paravur estuary has resulted in sand deposits being formed during high tide, considerably reducing the water storage capacity of the lake. As the district already faces acute drinking water shortage, the fresh water carried to the lake by Ithikkara river is also wasted through the spillway shutters that have not been closed down even after repeated complaints by environmentalists. The landslides on either sides of the River and encroachments have also contributed to the deposition of top soil in the estuary, leaving no space for water.
The spillway.
The area of the Lake near the estuary which was once more than 15 feet deep has now almost been filled. The area between Maniyamkulam canal to the estuary has now turned into a plain ground with the accumulation of clay and silt. “The equilibrium of the environment was lost after the construction of a spillway in the name of Ithikkara paddy field development in 1968. This has caused the natural estuary at Lakshmipuram in Mukkam to get destroyed,” Peter Pradeep of Help Foundation, an NGO, told DC. “The functioning of the spillway was disrupted later because of lack of maintenance of mechanical parts causing floods during rainy season and drought during summer,” he added.
The sand from the sea also accumulated in the Paravur Lake through the always-open shutters. The fresh water from the River is wasted into the sea through the damaged shutters. Meanwhile, the saline water also enters the River during the high tide as the shutters lack proper maintenance. Increasing the water level in Ithikkara river by closing the shutters will also benefit the Kappil and Nadayara Lakes as they are connected to Paravur Lake through Maniyamkulam canal.
“The issue has been taken up by the district administration, but has not got a response. A file has also been opened by the Major Irrigation department for the removal of sand debris from the Lake and there has not been any progress either,” Mr. Pradeep added. The shutter mechanism of the spillway became non-functional in 2013 and no action has ever been taken to repair and restore the Lake by removing the sand debris.
