Ashtamudi Lake - Restoration Plans

Restoration Plans

The Asia Development Assistance Facility of the New Zealand Government has carried out a study with the objective of evolving a management plan for sustainable management of the estuary for ecosystem development. The shores of the lake are home to important species of rare birds and animals. Any decisions made concerning the Ashtamudi Estuary estuary's resources and its sustainable management significance is dictated by about a million people who live on its shores and the large species of rare birds and animals which provide the equally important biodiversity to the lake's environs. The Plan envisages:

• Identify and phase out of the pollution sources
• Better sanitation, reduction of industrial growth and reduction of urban waste to ensure the maintainable water quality of the estuary.
• Address the declining fish stock production through concerted efforts to conserve the fish stock of the estuary in a sustainable manner and with community participation
• Product diversification of coir to ensure better economic returns to people with the coordination of self-help groups
• Improved shore protection through mangrove afforestation for ecosystem development on the banks of the estuary
• Mining to be allowed selectively at village level, away from the banks of the lake
• Discontinue estuary reclamation
• Set defined navigation routes undisturbed by fishing nets
• Neendakara port to be provided with improved sanitation facilities, enhanced boat-fuelling terminals and drainage terminals.
• Promote ecotourism with better facilities of inland navigation and services in the form of:
  • developing of marine bio-reserve, nature island and mangrove conservation area
  • visits to temples nearby and other places of cultural and archeological importance
  • visits to coir-producing villages, rubber-producing villages, rice fields, fish hatcheries and other biodiversity hot spots

The above activities have been suggested for implementation in the Vellimon Kayal, a relatively unspoiled part of the estuary.

With funds provided by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, revival of mangrove forests was done which is reported to be partially successful (out of 2,40,000 mangrove saplings planted over a period of two years 30,000 are reported to be surviving).