THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aakkulam lake which is set to be the next major tourist destination in the city is likely to be the major beneficiary of the upcoming breakwater project at Veli. The long pending project designed to be a solution to the perennial flood problem in the city will bring back the natural eco-system in the lake, said Akkulam Destination Management Council, which oversees the restoration of the lake and aims to improve its tourism potential. Construction of two breakwaters at Veli coast means the sea will be connected to the lake throughout the year.
At present, a sandbar formed at the estuary prevents water accumulated in the lake to flow out to the sea. When it rains heavily Amayizhanjan canal carries the stormwater to the lake and it overflows. The sandbar was breached after getting an approval from the district administration. The process had been repeated at least 5 to 7 times a year at considerable cost. The lake used to be rich in biodiversity with plenty of native fish varieties such as pearl spot and tilapia. Migratory birds too used to flock seasonally. Water quality was much better because of natural cleansing as a result of the high tide phenomenon. However, all that changed and those who are new to the city have only seen a water body infested with hyacinth. The lake itself has shrunk due to encroachments.
“The water quality deteriorated due to biomedical and other waste which enter the lake via Amayizhanjan and Ulloor canals. The proposed sewage treatment plant is yet to take off,” said Sharfaz Seth, a native. Amayizhanjan canal which runs through the heart of the city has been choked by the waste dumped in it. It drains into the Akkulam lake affecting the quality of water. The lake bed is littered with waste and nutrientrich water has become ideal for the growth of water hyacinth.
For those involved in clearing the weed, it is an ordeal
“Amayizhanjan canal carries a lot of biomedical waste dumped by hospitals. It not only spews stench but also affects the quality of water,” said a contractor involved in the cleaning process. As they brave the ‘itchy weeds’, tourists visiting the lake are forced to endure the stench. “We keep removing the weed but it keeps coming back with a vengeance. The breakwater will make the water more saline and the weed will get washed away into the sea,” said T V Prasanth, CEO, Akkulam Destination Management Council.
Tidal cleansing
“The coast experiences one high tide and a low tide every day. Naturally, the lake will benefit from diurnal tidal cleansing. The lake boundary will be defined through this natural process and will help us save it from encroachments,” said member secretary, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose. According to him the effect of tidal cleansing would be felt up to Pattom. The breakwater project involves the construction of two 200 metre long barriers into the sea separated by 130 m at Veli estuary. It was conceived in 2009 as a mechanism to drain out flood water, affecting close to 2 lake people, from the city. Some of the residents in the area have raised concerns about sea erosion. According to them, the project was a design to dump waste from city.
BOATING RESUMES AT AKKULAM
Boating resumed at Akkulam lake after water level increased. The facility which resumed operation during Onam after a gap of 5 years, sputtered out after a very short period. The rainy season forced the district administration to break the sandbar connecting the sea and the lake. The natural sandbar formation led to a rise in water levels. The obstacle caused by the bund set up to build the bridge across the lake has been removed to enable smooth flow of water. “The work related to the second phase of Akkulam development has picked up the pace. We are expecting fund allocation in the upcoming budget,” said T V Prasanth, CEO, Aakkulam Destination Management Council.