Date:15/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081512730300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Fishermen: suspend dredging in Vembanad

Staff Reporter

Say it will destroy fish wealth in the Vembanad Lake

ALAPPUZHA: The Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha (AKDS) on Monday demanded suspension of dredging of white shells in parts of the Vembanad Lake, adjacent to Cherthala and Vaikom.

Addressing a press conference here, general secretary V. Dinakaran said the dredging undertaken by a public sector undertaking harmed the ecological system and destroyed fish in the Vembanad Lake. This affected the livelihood of about 50,000 fishermen living on its banks.

Mr. Dinakaran demanded that the Government enact a law to protect waterbodies and their fish wealth.

He said the AKDS central zone committee comprising the North Paravoor, Kochi, Kanayannoor, Vaikom and Chertala taluk unions would hold a boat rally in the second week of September to press the demands of inland fishermen. A meeting would also be held at Thannermukkom to announce an agitation plan. Mr. Dinakaran said the Government should regulate tourism-related construction activities on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. He called for steps to check the pollution of backwaters by houseboats.