ALAPPUZHA: Fishermen here have demanded the opening of Thanneermukkom barrage which was shut by district administration for three-and-a-half months paddy harvesting season from December. K.M. Poovu, convener of Vembanad Lake Protection Forum, said that the river was getting polluted in an unprecedented way due to the water level coming down and lack of low and high tides. Considering the situation, he suggested the implementation of the James committee report that suggested the Bund should be opened before March 15. With the water level coming down, it would be a threat to fish breading,” he pointed out.
However, the lake’s sea water ingress had traditionally helped flush out waste while containing flood waters. The lack of a mix of saline and freshwater, vital for fish breeding, has affected fish and clam species. According to the latest fish survey report, there are as many as 45 varieties of fish. There were more than 150 fish species about a decade ago.
“Chemicals from reclaimed farmlands, illegally discharged effluents from tourism houseboats and lakeside industries such as coconut husk retting have contributed to significant pollution in the lake. The Thanneermukkom barrage, built in 1975 on the narrowest part of the lake’s width, closes its gates every year from December 15 to March 31. This had proved to be long enough to hamper fish and clam breeding and also cause decomposition of nutrients in the lake,” he said. Earlier, in January, the district administration had directed the police to keep vigil on the Thanneermukkom bund to avoid the possibility of shutters being opened illegally during night and allowing saline water gushing in that collapses paddy cultivation in Kuttanad.
