Vembanad Lake Shrinking

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Vembanad lake, the second largest wetland system in India after the Sunderbans in West Bengal, is shrinking and its unique biodiversity is under threat of ecological decay despite it being declared as a Ramsar site 20 years ago.

• The lake is a source of livelihood for farmers of Kuttanad and the fisherfolk community, continues to undergo ecological degradation due to pollution and unauthorised constructions on its banks.

Vembanad Lake

• It is the longest lake in India and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. 
• The lake is situated at sea level and is separated from the Laccadive Sea by a narrow barrier island.
• The lake is also known as Punnamada Lake (in Kuttanad) and Kochi Lake (in Kochi).
• Vallam Kali (a.k.a Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is a Snake Boat Race held every year in the month of August in Vembanad Lake.
• In 2002, the lake was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention. 
• It is the second-largest Ramsar site in India, only after the Sunderbans in West Bengal.
• The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake.
• The unique characteristic of the lake is the Thanneermukkom saltwater barrier. It was constructed as a part of the Kuttanad Development Scheme to prevent tidal action and intrusion of saltwater into the Kuttanad low-lands.
• The Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
• In 2019, Willingdon Island, a seaport located in the city of Kochi, was carved out of Vembanad Lake.

Issues

• According to ecological experts and various studies conducted over the years, the lake is facing serious environmental degradation due to recurring floods, increased pollution, reduction in water spread area and increased weed growth.
• Bunds on the lake were crumbling at certain places, making fishing difficult and on top of that the lake requires regular dredging and desilting.
• Tourism poses a threat to the ecology and the water quality of the lake. Resorts and residences discharge their waste into the river and many houseboats do not have bio-toilets.

Solution

• The participation of local communities, including fisherfolk and farmers, in revival of the lake was essential.
• An inter-departmental committee has been set up to carry out a comprehensive study on checking the existing backwaters and to take further steps.
• The bund was constructed to regulate saline water intrusion into the freshwater lake.
• The Swaminathan Foundation report of 2011 and a subsequent joint study of 2012 by teams from IIT Madras and CWRDM recommendation must be implemented.

Besides environmental concerns, pollution and recurring floods in the lake also paint a bleak picture regarding the livelihood of the fisherfolk in the area and farmers as Kuttanad, also known as the Rice Bowl of Kerala, lies on the southern portion of the water body.