Fund to be made available for Ashtamudi conservation

Kollam: In view of widespread encroachments and activities endangering the environment surrounding the Ashtamudi backwaters, the Kollam corporation has demanded that the government constitute authority for conserving the lake.
Mayor Prasanna Ernest raised this demand at a meeting convened here to discuss measures to be taken for sanitizing and protecting the lake.
Speaking at the meeting, finance minister K N Balagopal said there was an allocation of Rs 50 crore in the budget for the conservation of water bodies in the state. A portion of this amount could be made available for protecting Ashtamudi, he added.
"Compared to other backwaters in the state, Ashtamudi is less affected by contamination. Still, changes under prevailing conditions have to be examined. Fish resources should be sustained, and free flow of water to be ensured," the minister said, adding that there should be a popular movement for conserving the lake.
As part of preparing the action plan, a technical workshop will be held on August 10. MP N K Premachandran said his MP's fund would be made available for rejuvenating the lake. He also added that constituting a nodal agency for protection and conservation of the lake was necessary.
NORKA Roots chairman K Varadarajan said given the tourism potential, several projects could be implemented with ensuring the lake's conservation.tnn