The de-silting of the lake inside the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary began on Thursday.
Silt is being removed to deepen the waterbody and improve water flow into the protected area. Funds from the Kochi Corporation are being used for the work.
It was on a suggestion from the advisory council of the sanctuary that the work was initiated, said Deepak Joy, councillor representing the area in the corporation.
Mr. Joy said that silt had blocked tidal effect on the lake. It has also reduced the availability of fish.
Shortage of fish and feed in the lake is said to be a factor behind the reduced presence of birds in the sanctuary, he added.
After de-silting, planting of mangrove saplings will be taken up. The desilting process may take a month, the councillor said. Mayor Soumini Jain, Hibi Eden, MLA, and town planning standing committee chairperson Shiny Mathew inspected the work on Thursday.
