Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120359030300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Minister promises steps to protect Vellayani lake

Special Correspondent

Government plans survey of the lake

Collector told to provide staff for the survey work
Lake to be declared as a protected zone

Thiruvananthapuram: Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran told the Assembly on Tuesday that the government had initiated moves to carry out a comprehensive survey of the Vellayani lake.

Replying to a submission moved by Kovalam MLA George Mercier, he said the Survey Director and the District Collector had been directed to provide adequate staff for the survey work.

The Minister said the survey was necessary to determine the surface area of the lake and identify encroachments if any.

“The Legislative Committee on Environment hard reported widespread encroachments into the lake. The committee observed that 600 title deeds issued by the Survey Department were illegal. Besides, records with different departments showed a wide variance in the acreage of the lake,” he said.

Mr. Rajendran said the government would declare the lake and its surrounding areas as a protected zone and promote organic farming in the neighbouring paddy fields.

The Minister proposed steps to enhance the capacity of the lake by desilting it and introduce curbs on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by farmers.

Mr. Rajendran said the government had received complaints about sand-mining from the lake bed.

“Special squads comprising revenue and police officials have intensified patrolling in the area and several boats used by the sand-miners have been seized,” the Minister said.

The Minister informed the House that soil conservation activities had been taken up in the areas around the lake to check bank erosion.

He said a meeting involving Ministers, officials and people’s representatives would be convened soon to discuss means to protect the lake.