Ashtamudi Lake, situated in Kollam, is currently in the limelight but for pressing environmental issues. Large scale soil mining, conducted as a component of the National Highway development project, has rung alarm bells for local clam harvesters. The concern is not just about the sensitive ecosystem of the lake being thrown off balance, but there is also an undercurrent of anxiety over the threat to their main source of income.
The clam cultivators, part of the local fishing fraternity, have seen extensive soil dredging activities in the lake zones that were traditionally breeding hotspots for clams. They assert that along with significant soil displacement, a large count of clams is being unintentionally scooped up from the lake’s bed, gravely affecting the clam life cycle.
The main point of conflict arises from the negligence of the dredgers who now no longer limit themselves to surface sand deposits but venture deep into the internal layers of the lakebed. This approach is having disastrous repercussions, causing irreversible harm to the clam species. The clam stock, evaluated in lakhs of rupees, has already borne the brunt, instigating a severe drop in availability.
Ashtamudi Lake serves as a sustenance source for nearly 500 local workers spread across regions like Aravila, Neendakara, Mukkad, Dalavapuram, and Thekkumbhagam. These workers majorly rely on clam harvesting– an activity threatened by the soil mining project.
The clams, colloquially known as Manjakakka (or Kallukakka), boast notable quality and are in high demand due to their unique flavor. This gives them a competitive edge in the market, appealing to the buyers’ taste buds and thus fetching greater value. Harvesters are typically able to earn around ?1,700 for a yield of 35 kilograms of clams.
In addition to their gastronomical appeal, the clams harvested here hold immense potential for their white shells. They serve as crucial raw materials for creating life-saving medicine formulations. Furthermore, these clamshells find utility in the production of everyday items such as toothpaste, underscoring their versatile uses.
Yet, the ongoing soil mining procedures have cast a shadow over this thriving small-scale industry. Fears are surfacing that the dredging operations could be causing paramount harm to the rocky habitats of clams on the lake bed. This, in turn, could lead to a complete annihilation of the clam population.
A similar crisis had unfolded in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami when the clam stocks in Lake Ashtamudi suffered a blow due to disturbances in the lakeside ecology. It had taken considerable time for the lake’s ecosystem to recover and reclaim its original biodiversity.
Local customs entail observing a self-imposed ban on clam harvesting every year from December to February to allow natural replenishment. However, due to the unsustainable methods of soil mining, even the season that typically yields a generous clam harvest has witnessed a dramatic drop in clam availability.
In the past, clam harvesters have raised their voices against the environmentally damaging soil mining in the lake’s clam breeding zones. The recent disruption of the ecosystem has caused the situation to worsen, bringing their livelihoods to the verge of collapse.
Echoing the sentiments of their earlier protests, they have made a strong appeal to halt all dredging operations that pose a risk to the Ashtamudi Lake’s clam population immediately. They urge the authorities to recognize the adverse effects of such developments on their livelihood and the lake’s ecosystem. The clam harvesters stress that their struggle is not just about their survival, but also about the lake’s future.
The situation at Ashtamudi Lake underscores the challanges of balancing development projects with environmental preservation. However, the lake’s ecosystem’s fragility and the livelihood of several hundreds must be prioritized as the state navigates the path to meaningful progress.
A significant appeal to consider is that economic development and sustainability can co-exist if conscious efforts are made to mitigate the harmful impacts of growth. These could include proper environmental impact assessments, implementing less destructive dredging methods, or considering alternative routes or plans for projects. Soil mining and its repercussions on Ashtamudi Lake serve as a stark reminder that urgent action is needed to ensure a balance between progress and preservation.
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