Can we save Kerala’s Vembanad Lake?

Kottayam September 12 dmanewsdesk: You must have just read a beautiful article on 10 cool things to do in Kerala’s Vembanad Lake, how Vembanad Lake is perfect for a honeymooning couple. You plan your trip to Vembanad expecting everything beautiful and more. You reach there, get on the traditional house boat for a romantic vacation and look down and see the water is anything but pristine and beautiful.

It’s murky and weeds have probably taken the boat hostage. From the corner of your eye you spot a floating mineral-water bottle and some other land refuse. This can be your Vembanad story.

It’s been 20 years since Vembanad was declared a Ramsar site because of its unique biodiversity. When a site gets Ramsar recognition, everything is done to protect the site from any kind of damage, ecological as well as human. If only that had been the case for Vembanad Lake.

Credit: iStockVembanad Lake is the second largest wetland in India, first being the Sundarbans, and it is rapidly shrinking. The lake is the source of livelihood for the farmers and fishing communities. This rapid degradation of the lake puts everyone at risk.

Regular floods, illegal constructions by the lake-side, lack of general upkeep, and increased and unchecked tourism activities in and around the lake area has brought the lake to this state.

As per reports, a lot of projects were announced but they never saw the light of day. Conservation and maintenance of the lake took a backseat. Let’s not forget that the site under Ramsar Convention is of international importance.

Lack of sewage treatment plants, absence of eco-friendly or bio-toilets and improper waste disposal from the residences and resorts around the lake area are some of the reasons that contributed to this level of decline. What’s required – big change in management plans and conscious efforts of both locals and tourists to keep Vembanad safe.

Source: Times Travels