Ashtamudi Lake

Source: TH

Context: Kerala’s Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar site, faces ecological threats from pollution and habitat degradation, with recent fish deaths from algal blooms endangering biodiversity and local livelihoods.

More about news:

• Issues:

• Pollution: Sewage discharge, plastic dumping, and illegal waste disposal are rampant. Encroachments: Illegal constructions block water flow and degrade habitats. Microplastics: High levels of pollution detected in fish, shellfish, and sediments, impacting the aquatic ecosystem. Water Hyacinth: Spread of invasive plants limits fishing activities.

• Pollution: Sewage discharge, plastic dumping, and illegal waste disposal are rampant.

• Encroachments: Illegal constructions block water flow and degrade habitats.

• Microplastics: High levels of pollution detected in fish, shellfish, and sediments, impacting the aquatic ecosystem.

• Water Hyacinth: Spread of invasive plants limits fishing activities.

• Algal Bloom Impact:

• Overloading of nutrients causes oxygen depletion, suffocating aquatic species. Streptococci and E. coli contamination points to severe sewage pollution. Leads to significant economic losses for fishers and cage farmers.

• Overloading of nutrients causes oxygen depletion, suffocating aquatic species.

• Streptococci and E. coli contamination points to severe sewage pollution.

• Leads to significant economic losses for fishers and cage farmers.

About Ashtamudi Lake:

• Location: Situated in Kollam district, Kerala; named for its eight interconnected arms (“Ashtamudi”).

• Significance: Second-largest Lake in Kerala. Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002 Major source of livelihood for local fishers.

• Second-largest Lake in Kerala.

• Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002

• Major source of livelihood for local fishers.

• Hydrology: Fed by the Kallada River, connects to the Arabian Sea through the Neendakara estuary.

• Historical Importance: A key port city during the 14th century; noted in the travel records of Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta.

• Biodiversity: Rich in mangrove species, including endangered ones like Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.

Insta links:

• Vembanad-and-Ashtamudi-lake