government had initiated moves to carry out a comprehensive survey of
the Vellayani lake.Replying to a submission moved by Kovalam MLA
George Mercier, he said the Survey Director and the District Collector
had been directed to provide adequate staff for the survey work.The
Minister said the survey was necessary to determine the surface area
of the lake and identify encroachments if any."The Legislative
Committee on Environment hard reported widespread encroachments into
the lake. The committee observed that 600 title deeds issued by the
Survey Department were illegal. Besides, records with different
departments showed a wide variance in the acreage of the lake," he
said.Mr. Rajendran said the government would declare the lake and its
surrounding areas as a protected zone and promote organic farming in
the neighbouring paddy fields.The Minister proposed steps to enhance
the capacity of the lake by desilting it and introduce curbs on the
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by farmers.Mr. Rajendran
said the government had received complaints about sand-mining from the
lake bed."Special squads comprising revenue and police officials have
intensified patrolling in the area and several boats used by the
sand-miners have been seized," the Minister said.The Minister informed
the House that soil conservation activities had been taken up in the
areas around the lake to check bank erosion.He said a meeting
involving Ministers, officials and people's representatives would be
convened soon to discuss means to protect the lake.
The Hindu, 3rd December 2008
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