THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Management of waste and an effective monitoring system to prevent people from dumping garbage into water bodies are necessary for the success of Operation Anantha. Though the city has sufficient drainage systems including man-made canals to channel water to the sea, indiscriminate encroachment and waste dumping has made it ineffective. The failure of many projects before Operation Anantha is attributed to this apathy.
Amayizhinjan canal that runs through the heart of the city is clogged with waste. It drains the waste into Aakkulam lake which is a major tourist destination in the city. The 16.1 km long Parvathy Puthanar too carries a lot of waste from the city. Both the canals are filled with water hyacinth. Many houses on both sides of the canals too release sewerage into it.
The Irrigation Department’s plan for a walkway running parallel to Amayizhinjan canal from Kannammoola and to Akkulam Lake has been dealt a big by the encroachments along the banks. The project involves cleaning up of the canal and construction of a tiled walkway. For those involved in clearing the weed, it is an ordeal.
“Amayizhinjan canal carries a lot of bio-medical waste dumped by the hospitals. It not only spews stench but also affects the quality of water,” said a contractor involved in the cleaning process. Even as the workers brave the ‘itchy weeds’ to clean the lake, tourists also have to endure the stench.
The lake used to be rich in bio-diversity with native fish varieties such as pearl spot and tilapia in abundance. Migratory birds used to flock seasonally.
The water quality was much better as a result of the phenomenon of tidal cleansing. Water gushed in and out breaking the sand bar at Veli. But those who are new to the city, get to the water body infested with water hyacinth. The size of the lake has shrunk due to encroachments. “Water quality too has deteriorated due to bio-medical and other waste that flows into it via Amayizhanjan and Ulloor canals. The proposed sewage treatment plant is yet to become a reality,” said Sharfaz Seth, a native.
Akkulam Destination Management Council, chaired by the Tourism Minister, oversees cleaning up of the lake, restoring the boat service, creating a walkway around the lake and the second phase of Akkulam tourist village project.
National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has already prepared a plan for a mega project for the renovation and restoration of the heavily-polluted Parvathy Puthanar. The first phase of the project to be implemented with Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) as the Special Purpose Vehicle will be funded through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFBI). Ensuring smooth flow of the eight-kilometre-long Kariyilthodu connected to Parvati Puthanar on both ends is important in mitigating the flood situation in Kamaleswaram-Ambalathara wards during the rainy season.