on Monday that the government had initiated moves to remove the
aquatic weeds choking the lakes, rivers and canals in the State.
Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Kottayam MLA V.N.
Vasavan, he said weed harvesters would be pressed into service to
clear the waterbodies. Mr. Premachandran said the Ministry of
Environment and Forests had cleared a Rs. 15-lakh project for the
purpose. The Kerala Agricultural University had been asked to prepare
a detailed project report.
Desilting of rivers
The Minister said the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation had
proposed a three-year project to desilt and deepen the rivers and
canals in the State and clear them of weeds. Explaining the proposal,
he said panchayats would be entrusted with the work. The weeds removed
from the lake and canals would be converted into compost. The report
had recommended an outlay of Rs. 30 crore for the project, the
Minister added. Earlier moving the motion, Mr. Vasavan highlighted the
need to clear the weed-infested Vembanad lake and surrounding
waterbodies.
The Hindu, July 14
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