Steps will be taken to save Vellyani Lake Says Kerala CM

April 9 2013
Thiruvananthapuram

The State Government will take steps to protect the Vellayani lake, the largest freshwater lake in Thiruvananthapuram district, from encroachments, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly on Tuesday.The Chief Minister said that all efforts will be taken to preserve the water body as a fresh water lake. The State Government had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for protecting the shores of the lake. The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, had been entrusted with the task of conducting a study into the encroachments, which have eaten into a large portion of the lake, Chandy said.

Situated nine kilometres away from the capital city, the Vellayani lake is an important source of drinking water for the nearby areas. Some years ago, there was also a move to drain it and use the space for agriculture. The proposal met with massive public outcry and was dropped. The State Human Rights Commission too had intervened at the time to protect the lake. In recent years, the fish resources in the lake have been facing depletion. Recently, the Fisheries Department had announced a scheme to breed Pearl Spot (Karimeen) here.

Source – http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/CM-promises-steps-to-save-Vellayani-lake/2013/04/10/article1537918.ece

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