448
the lake has been reduced to 0.6 km
3
from 2.4 km
3
, a decline of 75%. Illegal
Conversion and encroachment of the lake is visible around the lake even today. The
problems faced by organic pollution of the lake is discussed earlier. The inorganic
materials like plastics that are dumped to the lake gets settled to the bottom of the
lake has adversely affected the bottom feeders like gobids, and has also affected the
fishes that attach their eggs to the bottom soil as the habitat changed. Fishes get
attracted to the plastic bags that are thrown to the lake with food remnants get
entangled and dies. Many such bags with dead fishes entangles in it were found during the VFCs and according to fisherman fish mortality due to plastic bags are
increasing day by day High concentration of plastics in the lake bed affects the fish
by destroying its natural environment. Pollution from pesticides, weedicides and
fungicides too affect the fishes as the rigorous use of these agrochemicals in to
which the fishes are sensitive. Earlier many fishes were using paddy fields as breeding and nursery grounds Than cradles of fishes, the over use of pesticides has eventually converted the paddy fields to a graveyard of fishes Use of these non target
chemicals destroys the aquatic invertebrates which prove vital for the survival of
many fishes. Use of pesticides and weedicides also resulted in the decline in larvivorous fishes which are known to harbor small canals and channels inside and adjoining the fields.
14.4.2.1 Restoration Measures Taken in the Vembanad Wetland
Ecosystem
1. Thanneermukkom Barrage is identified as a major threat to the ecosystem health
and fish fauna of Vembanad. Hence the barrage should be kept open at least for
9 months to allow saline influx to the lake. To attain this, definite crop calendar
should be followed in Kuttanad and paddy harvesting should be completed
before March every year.
2. A comprehensive study on the ecological Impact of Thannermukkom barrage
and its further development should be done by keeping the barrage experimentally open for at least 2 years.
3. Any non-wetland use of the lake should be strictly regulated.
4. Increase awareness among fishermen in and around Vembanad on ethical fishing
practices.
5. Fishery enhancement program adopted by the authorities should be done in
accordance with the fishermen and the suggestions by them should be incorporated in any such management plans.
6. Organic pollution from untreated sewage from the nearby towns and house boats
and resorts are a major reason of concern. The government should take utmost
care not to open any untreated sewage into the lake.
7. Strict measures should be adopted to prevent the deposition of plastic and other
solid waste into the lake. 8. Ranching of exotic or transplanted fishes in Vembanad
should be stopped as these can affect the diversity of native fishes.
R. Manivanan
the lake has been reduced to 0.6 km
3
from 2.4 km
3
, a decline of 75%. Illegal
Conversion and encroachment of the lake is visible around the lake even today. The
problems faced by organic pollution of the lake is discussed earlier. The inorganic
materials like plastics that are dumped to the lake gets settled to the bottom of the
lake has adversely affected the bottom feeders like gobids, and has also affected the
fishes that attach their eggs to the bottom soil as the habitat changed. Fishes get
attracted to the plastic bags that are thrown to the lake with food remnants get
entangled and dies. Many such bags with dead fishes entangles in it were found during the VFCs and according to fisherman fish mortality due to plastic bags are
increasing day by day High concentration of plastics in the lake bed affects the fish
by destroying its natural environment. Pollution from pesticides, weedicides and
fungicides too affect the fishes as the rigorous use of these agrochemicals in to
which the fishes are sensitive. Earlier many fishes were using paddy fields as breeding and nursery grounds Than cradles of fishes, the over use of pesticides has eventually converted the paddy fields to a graveyard of fishes Use of these non target
chemicals destroys the aquatic invertebrates which prove vital for the survival of
many fishes. Use of pesticides and weedicides also resulted in the decline in larvivorous fishes which are known to harbor small canals and channels inside and adjoining the fields.
14.4.2.1 Restoration Measures Taken in the Vembanad Wetland
Ecosystem
1. Thanneermukkom Barrage is identified as a major threat to the ecosystem health
and fish fauna of Vembanad. Hence the barrage should be kept open at least for
9 months to allow saline influx to the lake. To attain this, definite crop calendar
should be followed in Kuttanad and paddy harvesting should be completed
before March every year.
2. A comprehensive study on the ecological Impact of Thannermukkom barrage
and its further development should be done by keeping the barrage experimentally open for at least 2 years.
3. Any non-wetland use of the lake should be strictly regulated.
4. Increase awareness among fishermen in and around Vembanad on ethical fishing
practices.
5. Fishery enhancement program adopted by the authorities should be done in
accordance with the fishermen and the suggestions by them should be incorporated in any such management plans.
6. Organic pollution from untreated sewage from the nearby towns and house boats
and resorts are a major reason of concern. The government should take utmost
care not to open any untreated sewage into the lake.
7. Strict measures should be adopted to prevent the deposition of plastic and other
solid waste into the lake. 8. Ranching of exotic or transplanted fishes in Vembanad
should be stopped as these can affect the diversity of native fishes.
R. Manivanan