Backwaters

Marine Bio Reserve

Conservation of natural stock of fish and other aquatic life is themost important way to sustain the
Ashtamudi estuary for present and future generation of dependent people. The Wild Life (protection)
Act of India (1972) provides legal protection to many aquatic animals.

Chapter 4 of this Act, dealing with sanctuaries, National parks, game reserves and closed areas is equally
applicable to marine reserve and marine parks. It is proposed to establish a marine bio reserve at the
upper part of the Ashtamudi estuary which would be helpful for the lost habitats of true residential and
migratory fishes such as Etroplus suratensis, Scatophagus argus, Ehirava fluvialis and can serve as an
undisturbed spawning area, where by the depleted stocks can be recovered in the estuary.

Marine Bio Reserves are zone where no fishing is allowed and fish stocks are maintained. They provide
sustainable longevity of the inland fishing industry, renewable fish stocks and an important research
focus. Total out lay of the proposal is 200 lakh rupees. The suggested locations are at Ashtamudi lake
region of Munro Island, Panayam and Perayam as shown in Figure 3.4.

The Marine bio reserve will be established in an area of about 2 sq. km at the upper Kayal region of the
Ashtamudi lake in and around the peeyamthuruth (palliyam thuruth) situated in the middle of Perumon
Kayal from where mud is excavated for the construction of railway bridges. This thuruth will be the base
station for the proposal with kayal patrolling facilities. The proposal will be implemented by Fisheries
department in association with FIRMA, HED, LSGS, Water Transport Dept. etc and with the support of
Forest Department.

It is suggested that the proposal for Ashtamudi lake tourism circuit and a circuit by passing the marine
bio reserve area of tourism sector shall be suitably modified such that, boat traffic and fishing activities
will not be permitted here. The boundaries will be marked by fixing end posts and the area will be kept
undisturbed using fish aggregating devices.

Replacement of Kayal Latrines

The dominating deleterious effect resulting from the disposal of sewage to rivers and estuaries is that of
O2 depletion.

This sometimes led to eutrophication and associated problems. In Kollam district there are over 10000
kayal latrines on the banks of Kayamkulam lake, Karunagapally Vattakayal, T.S. canal,Ashtamudi estuary,
Kollam thodu, Paravur kayal and Edava Nadayara kayal. All these kayal latrines should be removed and
replaced with pucca septic tanks. So a total sanitation scheme for the residents near the bank of these
water bodies is proposed. The LSGIs included are Alappad, Neendakara,
Chavara, Thekkumbhagom, Thevalakkara, Thrikkaruva, Panayam, Munro- Island, Paravoor, Mayyanad,
Trikkadavoor, Kollam, W.Kallada, Perayam, Karunagapally, Clappana, K.S.Puram, E.Kallada, Poothakkulam,
Adichanalloor and Panmana.

Dredging of Backwater

The depth of the Ashtamudi estuary, shows a decreasing trend during the past decades. The reduction in
depth is mostly brought about by the deforestation activities taking place at the catchment areas,
siltation, sediment deposition due to change in water current and current velocity, dredging of the sub
fossil deposits etc. Large scale extraction of water from the rivers for the purpose of agriculture,
irrigation, etc have resulted in the drying up of Kallada river during summer months whereby a steady
elimination in the fish wealth have taken place due to the habitat loss.

In order to maintain proper depth in the backwaters dredging out of the already deposited sand/mud is
essential. Immediately after that it is essential to dredge out about 100 cubic meters of sand / mud from
the estuary.

Development of Mangrove areas:

Though fairly good patches of mangroves are seen towards the inner corridors of the estuary
(Kayamkulam Lake) 300 m away from the coastline, mangroves are absent along the shoreline. In the
Ayiram Thengu area, mangroves are restricted to a small preserves (4-5 ha area) dominated by
Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronata,Avicennia marina and Aegiceras corniculatum. Other lake
shores are devoid of mangroves, though occasional mangrove elements are found distributed here and
there and they may not qualify to be considered as a normal mangrove stand. From the environmental

Conservation of Water Bodies

Kollam is rich in aquatic bio reserve comprising of Lakshadweep sea in the west, two of the only three
Ramsar sites in the State viz. Ashtamudi back water and

Sasthamcotta fresh water lake, three Rivers

viz. Kallada, Itthikara and Achankovil

rivers, two major kayals viz. Paravur and

Edava-Nadayara kayals and a number of fairly large and small size kayals and ponds like Thodiyur
Vattakayal, Maruthady Vattakayal, Kanetti kayal etc.

l Ashtamudi Backwater:

One of the Ramser sites in the district, the Ashtamudi back waters, has an area of 34 sq.kmand is
subjected to abuse in many ways in the environmental point of view.
Special thrust is given to the backwater by earmarking it into the Aqua-Bio Reserve Zone. For saving the
backwater from quality deterioration mainly due to pollution the following proposals are put forward.

The conservation of Ashtamudi back waters include prevention of direct discharge of waste water
through public drains of Kollam Corporation, providing effluent treatment plants for sea food
preprocessing plants (peeling sheds), conversion of hanging toilets to eco san toilets / bio toilets, water
quality monitoring of Ashtamudi lake and modernization of coconut husk retting units.

Prevention of direct discharge of waste water through public drains of Kollam Corporation

Most of the hotels, restaurants, hospitals, clinics, markets and other establishments consuming water
are discharging the waste water directly or indirectly into theAshtamudi lake. Indirect method is mainly
through storm water drains and nullahs maintained by LSGIs. It is envisaged to prevent such discharges
completely by 2009. The suggested location is at Kollam Corporation.

Providing effluent treatment plants for Sea food preprocessing plants(peeling sheds)

There are about 50 numbers of fish processing units in Kavanad, Neendakara and Sakthikulangara
area.Most of the solid and liquid wastes are directly entering the lake as there are no treatment facilities.
Providing the minimum required treatment for such preprocessing units for meeting the standards by
2010 is envisaged. The suggested locations are at Kollam

Corporation and Neendakara Grama panchayat.

Conversion of hanging toilets to

eco san toilets/bio toilets

Hanging toilets can be seen

everywhere along the banks of Ashtamudi

Lake. The human excreta is directly

disposed in the lake. This unhygienic

practice has to be stopped for improving

the water quality of the lake and to promote

tourism through the lake.

Eco friendly toilets like eco san toilets

and bio toilets shall be promoted while

giving proposal for replacing the hanging

toilets. Through eco san toilets the waste is

converted into bio fertilizer and through bio

toilets methane gas can be utilized in

kitchens. The suggested locations are at

Kollam Corporation, Neendakara,

Chavara, Chavara South, Kundara,

Perinad and Mundrothuruth Grama

panchayats.

Water quality monitoring of

Ashtamudi Lake

To identify the variations in the chemical

characteristics of the lake, intensive

monitoring of the lake by collecting and

analyzing water samples during monsoon,

pre monsoon and post monsoon periods

is required. An extensive study

incorporating about 50 sampling stations

have to be planned and carried out to find

out the water quality, its variations and the

eutrophication status of the lake. The

monitoring has to be continued till 2021 so

that the effect of implementation of the

proposals detailed elsewhere can also be

assessed and corrective measures taken

up.
 Modernization of Coconut husk

retting units

There are several coconut husk and

fibre retting units functioning at the banks

of Ashtamudi lake at Thevalakkara,

Chavara, Thekkumbhagam etc.

Traditionally such units are located at the

banks of the back water because the raw

material needs to be soaked / retted in

water for 3-4 weeks before defibring it

mechanically. A golden colour indicating

high quality of the fibre is attainable only

after soaking. However the water gets

polluted after each soaking. Recently there

is a trend in the business to bring the coir

fibre from Tamil Nadu for soaking/retting.

The reason attributed for such a practice

Industrial air pollution - Kollam is water scarcity.

So modernization of the coconut husks

retting /defibring units around Ashtamudi
lake with the help of M/s. Hindustan Coir, a
coir research organization under Govt. of
India is proposed. The technology
promoted by M/s. Hindustan Coir is based
on the bleaching capacity of castor oil when
sprinkled on coir fibre. In this process there
is no need for soaking in lake water and
thus avoiding water pollution. The sprinkling
is carried out on land. Another technology
patented by the Regional Research
Laboratory also helps in avoiding soaking
the huskfibre in lake water. Units are to be
provided with effluent treatment plants
attached to the soaking tanks. The
suggested locations are at Kollam
Corporation, Neendakara, Chavara,
Chavara South, Thevalakkara,
Thrikkadavur, Thrikkaruva and
Mundrothuruth Grama panchayats.
Sasthamcotta Lake:
Another Ramsar site in the district, the
Sasthamcottta fresh water lake, has an
area of 373 ha. From the Sectoral studies
it is seen that the largest fresh water lake of
Kerala is getting polluted due to
anthropological activities in and around the
lake. Discharge from towns like
Bharanicavu and Sasthamcotta, open
defecation at the banks of the lake,
discharge from poor quality latrines, retting
of palmleaves in the lake, laundry activities
at certain kadavs, use of fertilizers for
plantation crops etc. are observed to be
affecting quality of the lake water. Some of
the above discharges reach the lake only
in the form of surface run off during rain.
As per Article 2.2.11, the water quality of
the lake has not deteriorated at any
alarming level. Remedial measures shall
be adopted for preventing it from
deterioration.
The main problem faced by the lake is
the water level depletion. Therefore
special thrust is given to the lake also by
earmarking it into the Aqua-Bio Reserve
Zone. The proposals for the lake
conservation includes, providing municipal
solid waste treatment facilities, construction
of fencing along the boundary of
Sasthamcotta lake, providing basic
amenities like latrines, facility for laundry
etc., banning of sand mining and ground
water recharging.
Drinking water and Sanitation sector
suggests the following conservation
measures.
Prevention of further encroachment
Prevention of pollutionincluding solid and
liquid waste
Prevention of silting
Total echo systemprotection
Promoting oftourismpotential
Patrolling
The proposal is to be implemented
during 2008 - 2011.
Coastal Zone Regulations:
Since the coastal line is
environmentally very vulnerable, the
existing Coastal Zone Regulations are to
be strictly followed by the LSGIs.After the
demarcation of High Tide Lines, restriction
of industrial and construction activities shall
be strictly observed. The suggested
locations are at Paravur Municipality,
Mayyanad, Kollam Corporation,
Neendakara, Chavara, Alappad,
Clappana and Panmana Grama
panchayats.
Paravur Kayal:
There is an urgent need for the
conservation of Paravur Kayal from
encroachment and pollution due to various
human activities. Direct discharge of waste
water to the lake is envisaged to be stopped
by 2009. Hanging toilets are to be totally
replaced by ecosan / bio toilets /septic tanks
by 2009. The coconut husk retting being
carried out in the kayal, is also intended to
be stopped by modernizing the retting
operation by the end of 2011.The
suggested locations are at Paravur
Municipality, Mayyanad and Poothakkulam
Grama panchayats.
Edava-Nadayara Kayal:
Since a portion of the lake at Nadayara
is exclusively used for coconut husk retting,
there is air pollution and water pollution.
While undertaking programs to conserve
the lake, due consideration is to be given
to the people engaged in traditional coir
industry. So a proposal is made
incorporating conservation of the lake
without affecting the traditional industry. The
suggested location is at Paravur
Municipality.
Proposals for Other Water bodies:
20 meter buffering using natural
fencing with locally available plants for all
major water bodies in the district proposed.
This is proposed to be completed by 2015.
The suggested locations are at Kollam
Corporation, Sasthamkotta,West Kallada,
East Kallada, Puthur, Adichanalloor,
Nedumpana, Edamad, Anchal, Alaymon,
Kottarakkara, Mylom, Pathanapuram
Grama Panchayats.
Conservation and Regeneration of
Mangroves
Regeneration is proposed to be done
by planting 3 - tier vegetation all along
waterfront. The vegetation includes kandal
along waterfront, kandal associates as a
second layer and third layer as thick
bamboo fencing.
The planting of kandal seedlings may
be done on muddy soil in the area between
low tide line and high tide line after
demarcating low tide line with locally
available Nari kallu or dry rubble or
even sand bags according to availability.
The proposal is to complete the programme
by 2011.The suggested locations are at
Kollam Corporation, Neendakara,
Chavara, Chavara South, Thevalakkara,
Mandrothurathu, West Kallada,
Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, Panayam
and Kundara Grama Panchayats.
Conservation of Sacred groves
Sacred groves face various threats in
the light of lack of land for human
settlements and lack of interest among
people for agriculture. Eroding community
values are also catalyzing the fast extinction
of sacred groves. A proposal is made here
for conserving the sacred groves. The
suggested locations are at Poothakkulam,
Paravur Municipality, Adichanalloor,
Elampalloor, Nedumpana, Panmana,
Kalluvathukkal, Thevalakkara, Thrikkovilvattom,
Chavara, Kollam Corporation,
Chavara south, Mayyanad, Thazhava,
Oachira and Mynagappally Grama
Panchayat.
The programme includes protection of
the groves, planting of indigenous species,
soil and water conservation and
participating approach Sasthamcotta lake side conservation to restoration

Abatement of Air Pollution

From the sectoral studies it is seen that
the most critical pollution in the district is air
pollution.
Out of 666 industrial units creating air
pollution, majority is located in Kollam
Corporation (79 units). No units are
located in 5 LSGIs. The health studies also
corroborate the same by finding that the
most critical health issue in the district other
than epidemics is respiratory diseases. It
is seen that the air pollution is high in
Multifunctional and Special Development
Zones. The location specific proposals in
this regard include litigation measures for
air pollution fromKerala Minerals and Metal
Ltd., air pollution from cashew factories,
Air/Noise pollution from vehicles and
modernization of brick manufacturing units
by providing pucca hood system with
chimney and exhaust fan.
Air pollution from Kerala Minerals
and Metal Ltd.
KMML is one of the major air polluting
chemical industries in the district which is
in the Panmana Grama Panchayat of
Special Development Zone. Pollution
control facilities provided in the factory is
satisfactory. But there are occasional
emission of chlorine and other toxic gases
outside the company premises due to
power failures, valve leaks, process
control failures etc. During such failures
people living in the nearby areas are
affected most and get hospitalized some
times. Upon the insistence of Pollution
Control Board, the company management
has initiated to install continuous air
pollutionmonitors for the existing chimneys.
Decentralized control systems are also
being installed.
Air pollution from Cashew factories
Majority of cashew processing factories
of Kerala are located in Kollam district,
numbering about 700. Most of the units are
located in populated areas basically in Multi
Functional Zone. It is a labour oriented
industry. The Board prescribes no control
measures other than to provide specific
heights for the stacks. But the thick emission
coming out from the roasting plants and
borma units has now become intolerable
to the public. Presence of phenolic
compounds in the emission was identified
by the board earlier. A lot of complaints are
received on air pollution.
In these circumstances it is high time
that scientific controlmeasures for reducing
air pollution from cashew processing units
are planned and insisted for
implementation.
Air / Noise pollution from vehicles
Most of the roads in Kollam town are
congested. Similar situation is faced in other
major towns like Punalur, Kottarakkara,
Kottiyam, Karunagappally etc. i.e in the
Multi Functional Zone. Traffic produces a
lot of noise and air pollution. A diesel jeep
or truck produces more noise than a petrol
car. A very old or badly maintained
automobile produces more noise than a
new and good conditioned vehicle. An
engine running at a less speed is less noisy
than those running at higher speeds. As
far as the carcinogenic effect of particulate
matter emission from vehicles is
concerned, a diesel car is equivalent to 24
petrol cars and 84 CNG cars.
Air pollution and noise pollution due to
traffic can be abated by various town
planning techniques like construction of
barrier walls, allowing single lane traffic,
isolated traffic for heavy vehicles,
constructing smooth roads etc. For this, the
innovative plan is proposed by Infra
structure sector is suggested. The
suggested locations are at Kollam
Corporation, Punalur Municipality,
Kottarakkara, Karunagappally,
Chathanoor andAnchal Grama panchayat.
Modernization of brick
manufacturing units by providing
pucca hood system with chimney
and exhaust fan
A proposal is made here to modify the
emission systemof existing 150 no. of wire
cut brick manufacturing units operating in
Kunnathur, West Kallada, Mylom,
Kulakkada and Pavithreswaram,
Kottarakkara,Adichanalloor, Nedumpana,
Poovatoor, Thazhava, Sasthamkotta, East
Kallada, Mynagappally, Sooranad South,
Sooranad North Grama panchayats.
Abatement of Noise pollution
A proposal is made for the control of
noise to be within the permissible limits and
to be implemented by 2015. The suggested
locations are at Kollam Corporation,
Punalur, Kottarakkara, Karunagapally,
Mayyanad, Chathannoor, Anchal and
Paravoor Municipality.
The following regulatory measures are
to be implemented.
Phasing out of old vehicles from plying
through the roads.
Laying standards for each type of
vehicles and observing strict adherence
of the standards.
Change over of diesel and petrol engine
to electric engines wherever possible.
Revamping traffic systemto reduce traffic
blocks andtraffic jams.
Promote construction of upper roads to
bye pass cities and towns
To regulate honking of horns at sensitive
areas.
Providing insulation, window shielding
etc. to hospitals and school buildings
existing near roadsof considerable traffic,
Regulation of amplifiers and loud
speakers at religious centres and public
programs.
Awareness programmes projecting the
necessity of controlling noise.
Conservation of Hillocks
Hillocks are mostly spread over the
eastern part of the District. The porous
nature of the laterite increases the water
holding capacity of hillocks. In the valleys
of hillocks it can be ensured that there is
presence of water throughout the year.
Streams normally originate from hill
valleys. Under water flows is maintained
by hills. Most of the sacred grooves are in
hill slopes. The sacred groves also add to
the biodiversity of hills. The hillocks in the
district are at present in a phase of disaster
caused by soil mining from the hills. The
transformation of hillocks into plain land has
become a speedy affair. The large scale
laterite stone mining is followed by soil
extraction. To prevent the collapse of the
eco systems of hillocks, some drastic action
is urgently needed. New law has to be
enacted for this awareness program is
another effective measure to conserve the
hillocks. The proposal is suggested in all
the LSGIs.
Controlling Land Pollution
The significant land area identified in
the district as affected due to pollution is
that around the factory of M/s. Kerala
Minerals and Metals Ltd, Chavara.
Hence a proposal is made here for
bringing back the soil and water quality of
the affected area. The suggested locations
are at Chavara and Panmana Grama
panchayats. The main activities to be
undertaken are
The southern canal from the National
Highway side up to the TS Canal to be
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94 Volume III - Concise Report Development Proposals
Integrated District Development Plan, Kollam
made leak proof by cement construction.
Providemore efficient treatment plant in
the factory of KMML.
Undertake recuperation works in the
affected area after testing the soil and
water.
Waste Management
Municipal SolidWaste Management
in Kollam Corporation:
As in any other part of Kerala, Kollam
district is also faced with problems related
to improper handling, transportation,
disposal and storage of municipal solid
wastes. The key issues related to the
different activities of the solid waste
management systemof KollamCorporation
are the following.
Segregation of waste at source is not
started.
No notified places of primary collection
points. Sowasteis dumped almost every
where.
No proper collection / removal by
transport vehicles arranged. Leachate
at primary collection areas creates
pollution problems.
Existing waste dumping yard at
Kureepuzha is unscientificallymanaged.
Leachate pollutes the nearby drinking
water sources and finally reaches
Ashtamudi Lake.
Crude dumpingcreates breeding ground
for mosquitoes, pests and rodents.
The systemproposed is a decentralized
treatment and disposal facility for the
municipal solid waste generated in Kollam
Corporation. This proposal is intended to
improve the entire system by 2011.
The scenario with regard to the
management and handling of Municipal
SolidWaste is
Segregation of waste at source is not
started.
No proper collection / removal are
arranged.
Leachates from dumping areas create
pollution problems.
Hence centralized treatment and
disposal systems for the waste generated
in Kollam Corporation, are proposed.
Municipal Solid waste management
in other LSGIs:
Centralized treatment and disposal
systems for the waste generated in all other
LSGIs except Kollam Corporation,
Sasthamkotta, Mynagappally and West
Kallada LSGIs are proposed.
Management of waste generated
based on the proposals of other
sectors:
As per animal husbandry sector there
is a proposal for slaughter houses and an
abattoir. For these inbuilt treatment facilities
shall be provided for the waste generated
here. Also as per agriculture sector there
are proposals for primary and secondary
agriculture markets which are also linked
with fisheries and animal husbandry. The
waste generated in the primarymarketsmay
be managed by the concerned LSGI. For
the waste generated in the secondary
market at Kottamkara inbuilt treatment
facilities shall be provided for the waste
generated.
With the implementation of the above
said proposals, it is envisaged that the
people of Kollamdistrict will be able to have
a better environment by 2021 in all
respects. The air they breathe will be
cleaner and water pollution problems can
be contained effectively. The Ashtamudi
Lake will regain its glory and attract more
tourists. Sasthamcotta Lake will serve more
people with drinking water without its water
level getting depleted so fast as of today.
1.12. Mining and Geology
According to the district Mining policy,
by 2021 Kollam has to optimally utilise the
mineral resources of the District with due
regard to environmental, economical and
social impacts.
As identified in the sectoral analysis,
mineral sand, china clay and ordinary sand
are the three major mineral resources
which can be commercially utilized in the
district. Thus the proposals include the
extraction of the same in a phased manner.
Proposal for Extraction of Mineral sand
The potential areas for mining include
Alappad, Panmana. Chavara and Neendakara.
The heavy mineral deposit of Kollam,
one of the best of its kind in the world, is a
strategicmineral which needs to be exploited
without adverse environmental impact.
The area is having no overburden and
hence no developmentalwork is required.
The area is demarcated into different
blocks. Deposits from the surface to about
7.5 meter can be tapped. Mean time the
beach wash deposits can be wiped away
giving chance for further deposition by the
waves.Alternate blocks have to be mined.
To remove the mineral sand up to its fullest
depth mechanized mining methods are
suggested in a block whereas in the
neighboring blocks manual methods are
used for the collection of beach washings.
It is proposed to dredge around 400000
tons in a single block for the first five years.
In the meantime by manual methods
around 150000 tons of beach washings
can be collected also. Mineral recovery
plant by suction dredge is suggestive for
the opencast mining in the existing area.
However, in the other potential areas
in Alappad, Panmana, Chavara and
Neendakara Grama panchayats where
mining is not being done, special
rehabilitation programme will have to be
implemented. As mentioned in the
population studies, the coastal belt is
having high population density the issue
of rehabilitation would be a sensitive one
and have to be specially considered.
Rehabilitation may be done in a
phased manner and two alternatives are
suggested.
Alternative I : Complete rehabilitation
programme
Phase 1 Prevent land transaction
Phase 2 Alternate livelihood for the
people (Inland fishing, Industrial work etc.)
Phase 3 Alternate housing for the
people (near by LSGIs)
Note: Heritage sites etc. may be
exempted
Alternative 2: Make shift arrangement
programme
The mineral resource area is made
settlement free by shifting the people to
neighbouring LSGIs followed by mining and
reclamation of the land and reshifting of the
people to their own lands.
Presently the mining area use strip
mining methodology. Considering the
environmental impact, rehabilitation of the
mined areas including intensive revegetation
with ecologically similar species
and re-contouring of land to its original
shape, including dunes, management of
groundwater resources Sea side waste disposing - Kollam etc. are proposed