Vellayani ravaged by pollution, large-scale reclamation of land

A comprehensive project is on the anvil to conserve Vellayani lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Kerala, which has been ravaged by pollution and large-scale reclamation of land.

Spearheaded by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), the project involves undertaking a scientific study and documentation of various aspects of the lake, including the threats faced by the ecosystem. The lack of scientific study had bogged down conservation efforts, experts pointed out during a discussion organised by CISSA and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.

CISSA general secretary Suresh Kumar said the meeting also constituted an expert panel comprising around 50 members who represent various fields and have worked on various aspects of the lake for framing the study report. The major institutions that will be represented in the team include the University of Kerala, Kerala Agricultural University, Central University, National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Kerala State Biodiversity Board and the Departments of Irrigation and Cultural Affairs, among others.

Committee

The committee, chaired by A. Biju Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Science and Director (Research), University of Kerala, has been divided into different teams to focus on various themes.

While Dr. Biju Kumar will head the study on ecology and biodiversity, K.P. Thrivikramji, former Head of the Department of Geology, University of Kerala, will conduct a study on geological origin of the lake and its current extent with GPS details on historical decline in area.

Other themes that will be explored during the course of the comprehensive study include history and landscape ecology (led by Ajithkumar and P.K. Rajasekharan), threats to the ecosystem (Ajith Venniyoor) and conservation and management action plan, which will be evolved on the basis of participatory discussion.

According to Dr. Biju Kumar, the document will be discussed at various stakeholder workshops and finalised for release on World Wetlands Day (February 2) in 2019.

While few studies have shown that none of the related factors went beyond optimum levels, there has been evidence of increasing eutrophication and presence of pesticides in the lake. Besides, the rich biodiversity of the ecosystem was threatened by the illegal extraction of sand in the fallow paddy fields along its periphery.

The invasion of exotic plants and fishes and its impact on the indigenous biodiversity of the lake remained to be documented in detail, Dr. Biju Kumar added.